Hormone melatonin could treat fibromyalgia

Melatonin seems to be of some potential benefit to people with fibromyalgia says a Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice review.

A hormone made in the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, when taken as a medicine, melatonin is made in a lab. There has been lots of research about the benefits of taking melatonin as a supplement, and this new review adds weight to its potential.

The experts looked at research that had been done about the effect of melatonin on disease impact, pain, sleep quality, tender point count, fatigue, anxiety, stiffness and depression in 98 people with fibromyalgia.

“All the studies reported the positive effect of melatonin on the fibromyalgia symptoms,” the experts say. “No major adverse event was reported.”

However, while the findings could be exciting, melatonin has been shown to interact with other medicines including blood thinner warfarin, so speak to a GP before taking it. Remember that melatonin bought as a nutritional supplement is not subject to the same strict standards as prescription medicines, and it can be difficult to be sure of the content of medicines bought online.

Click here to read the new research. 

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