Many people are familiar with melatonin as a sleep aid, but in this video, Dr. Andrew Rubman, naturopathic physician and author of Bottom Line’s “Nature Doc’s Patient Diary” blog, goes against the grain of common advice and suggests that while melatonin can be helpful (particularly in minimizing jet lag and resetting the body’s internal clock when traveling to other time zones), it should not be taken on a continuous basis. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced deep in the brain’s pineal gland. It is responsible for setting and maintaining our circadian rhythms—but taken regularly, this hormone can prove dangerous to sensitive individuals, resulting in anxiety and sleep troubles.

Andrew Rubman, ND, is a teacher as well as a physician, helping his patients make better-informed choices about their health care and become better consumers of both traditional and conventional medical options.  He is also a member of the Bottom Line Personal Panel of Experts. For more great tips from Dr. Rubman, check out his other videos and Bottom Line blog “Nature Doc’s Patient Diary” or visit his website, https://southburyclinic.com.

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