Melatonin – Not Just for Sleep

We understand melatonin helps with sleep, but in a recent analysis of eight randomized controlled trials, melatonin supplementation was found to improve blood lipid status. Using a meta-analysis approach, a “significant association between melatonin supplementation and a reduction in triglycerides (WMD: −31.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: −50.71, −12.38, p = 0.001) and total cholesterol levels (WMD: −18.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: −35.33, −1.63, p = 0.032)” was observed. No significant effect on LDL-C (WMD: −2.37 mg/dL, 95% CI: −11.61, −6.86, p = 0.615) and HDL-C (WMD: 1.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.66, 3.23, p = 0.197) was found. A sub-group analysis found “a significant decrease in triglycerides at doses ≥8 mg/d when trials last[ed] ≥8 weeks. 

In addition, “a significant decrease of total cholesterol was [also] found at doses ≥8 mg/d, and when total cholesterol baseline levels were ≥200 mg/dL.”  Overall, the results indicate that melatonin supplementation has notable effects on triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, and is more evident with “higher dose and longer duration, and also [with] a higher concentration of cholesterol levels.”  Further studies are required to determine the benefits of melatonin on lipid profile.

Ref.:  Mohammadi-Sartang M, Ghorbani M, Mazloom Z. Effects of melatonin supplementation on blood lipid concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2017 Nov 16. pii: S0261-5614(17)31401-2. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.11.003. [Epub ahead of print]

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