Melatonin, a hormone found
naturally in the body, is known to effect sleep quality and has been
administered in different amounts as a remedy for insomnia and sleep
problems.
Researchers at the University
of Zurich Travel Clinic, Switzerland have demonstrated that
melatonin is an effective in helping travellers overcome jet lag.
Monitoring 320 volunteers, all
of whom had flights over 6 to 8 time zones, the researchers gave
each traveller one of the four tablets including three different
dosages of melatonin - 0.5mg fast-releasing tablet, 5-mg fast
release formulation, 2-mg controlled-release or a placebo.
The travellers were told to
take the tablets were taken once daily at bedtime four days after an
eastward flight and to keep a sleep log.
Of the original 320 volunteers, a total 234 (73.1%) people completed
the study. The results showed that the fast release melatonin
formulations were more effective than the slow-release formulation
with the 5-mg formulation and showed a significant improvement in
sleep quality, reducing tiredness and bringing about a relaxed state
after an intercontinental flight. The lower dose of 0.5mg was almost
as effective as the dose of 5.0 mg, though not quite as powerful.
The report concluded that
melatonin is effective as a remedy to aid sleep and alleviate
jet-lag. However, it should be noted that long term safety studies
are unavailable.
