About to fly and always struggle with jet lag? You’re not alone. Today we review a product formulated to help fight the effects of jet lag, also known as time zone change syndrome or desynchronosis. When you fly across time zones, your body’s internal body clock or circadian rhythms become disrupted or confused. The same thing happens when you do night shift work.
Your body is used to shutting down for sleep or waking at specific hours. When this cannot happen as normal because you are suddenly in a different time zone, it leads to fatigue, irritability, headaches and insomnia, among other things.
Usually, symptoms are worse when travelling west to east, than the other way around. One possible reason for this is that the body copes better with a day that is lengthened, rather than shortened, which is what happens when you travel eastwards. Melatonin, a chemical which induces sleep in the body, is commonly recommended as a jet lag ‘cure’.
Nature’s Bounty is one such melatonin-formulated remedy. It claims to stimulate relaxation and sleep, to be totally drug-free and that its ingredient, melatonin, has been clinically studied.
Ingredients
- Melatonin
- Vegetable Cellulose
- Gelatin
- Silica
- Vegetable Magnesium Stearate
Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone in the body. When it is used in medicinal form though, it has been manufactured synthetically. It helps you go into a relaxed state so that you fall asleep quicker, especially if you have jet lag or insomnia, so that you wake up well rested. It is also used to help combat other disorders such as ADHD and a host of conditions and diseases.
The traditional dose of of melatonin for jet lag is 0.5 mg to 8 mg before bedtime for 2 to 5 days once at the destination. This formulation contains 10mg of melatonin per serving, which is considered a high dose. Anything above 5 mg can have a hypnotic effect.
The rest of the ingredients make up the gelatin capsules and are fillers, binders and preservatives. Nature’s Bounty Melatonin contains no synthetic flavoring, sweeteners, preservatives, starch, fish, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, yeast, wheat or sodium. The chances of developing an allergic reaction are therefore virtually zero.
Dosage
Take 1 capsule or serving which contains 10 mg melatonin 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. This medication is not suitable for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not take Nature’s Bounty melatonin for longer than 2 months at a time, with a week’s break in between. You should also cease use if you notice anything unusual, and get doctor’s clearance first if you are taking other medications. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking melatonin.
The dosage of 10 mg is quite high as up to 8 mg is considered a normal dosage for jet lag.
There are a few side effects of melatonin, with daytime sleepiness being one of the most common.
Price
You can buy Melatonin 10 mg for $7,09 on Amazon. This is the cost for 60 capsules. It retails for about double in shop shelves in retailers.
Guarantee
Although the manufacturer statedly subscribes to very high quality assurance standards and the product is made in a GMP certified lab, there appears to be no actual returns policy.
Nature’s Bounty Melatonin Review – Conclusion
Melatonin is widely known to induce sleep and as this product contains a high dose, it should be effective for most people. The manufacturer follows a stringent selection criteria when it comes to sourcing ingredients. In addition, the Nature’s bounty 60-day supply is quite cost-effective.
However, anything above 5mg of melatonin is known to create a hypnotic, lethargic daytime feeling. To remedy jet lag properly, a product which also addresses adequate recovery and alertness during the day is best. Alternatively, a formulation with less melatonin but added natural herbs such as chamomile would work well at night but leave you feeling less groggy the next day. Some consumers have experienced diarrhea after taking this product.
This night-time formulation may be good, but only goes half-way. Although the product receives mostly good reviews, most individuals take this as an aid to insomnia – not jet lag, and the latter consists of more than merely not being able to sleep.
The lack of a guarantee leaves us hesitant to fully put our weight behind Nature’s Bounty Melatonin, as it becomes a risky purchase which may end up working for an isolated condition such as insomnia, but not necessarily for the full spectrum of effects associated with jet lag.
Concise, honest reporting from Authority Reports.
