Sublingual with melatonin and its precursor: niacin

Bio-Melatonin Complex is a nutritional supplement with sublingual tablets that contain 290 µg of the active substance melatonin combined with 10 mg of niacin, a B vitamin and a precursor of melatonin.

Melatonin taken orally in tablet form has poor absorption. Only around 15% of the active compound enters systemic circulation. The bioavailability increases when melatonin is administered in the form of a lozenge and is absorbed through the oral mucosa (sublingual absorption). Sublingual administration of melatonin bypasses the metabolism in the liver, which itself is a limiting factor for bioavailability. Studies show that sublingual administration of melatonin increases the maximal blood concentration to 38% . Also note that Bio-Melatonin Complex contains niacin. To produce niacin, the body requires tryptophan, which the body also uses to synthesize melatonin. Adding 10 mg of niacin to the product spares 600 mg of tryptophan. Take Bio-Melatonin Complex half an hour before bedtime. The effect of Bio-Melatonin Complex may be optimized by taking it at the same time every night.

Melatonin is a natural component found in an array of living organisms. It is present in high quantities in bananas and in plants form the rice family. In most animals, humans included, melatonin functions as a key substance that is involved in seasonal and diurnal rhythms. In humans, melatonin is secreted by the brain's pineal gland and controlled by a region of the hypothalamus. The synthesis and release of melatonin is stimulated by darkness and peaks between 2 am and 4 am. Our melatonin synthesis is inhibited by exposure to light.

If you get up during the night and turn on the light on, your body's melatonin production will immediately stop. It takes some hours of darkness for the body's melatonin release to reach its maximum again. Interestingly, it is not all frequencies in the light spectrum that attenuate the body's melatonin production,  only light in the blue end of the visible light spectrum have that impact. Unfortunately, this type of light is present  in many artificial sources of light such as smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.

In humans, the brain's melatonin synthesis peaks between the period from 3-5 years of age until adulthood. From this point onward, the production gradually declines throughout life.

Where can melatonin be found?

Nicotinic acid is another name for vitamin B3. It is also referred to as niacin. This vitamin was originally isolated from tobacco leaves but is not identical with nicotine.

The vitamin is involved in many important body functions, including its contribution to normal functioning of the nervous system, the brain, and psychological functions.

In the body, the amino acid tryptophan contributes in the production of nicotinic acid if your vitamin B3 intake is low. It also contributes to the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Helped by enzymes, tryptophan is converted into serotonin during the day and melatonin at night.

In the brain, we have a "24-hour clock" that controls our day and night. It is called the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm deals with the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. The rhythm is primarily controlled by light and darkness.

Our circadian rhythm regulates sleep timing, appetite, and energy levels. It can be disrupted by factors such as trans-Atlantic air travel across several time zones, nightshift work, and exposure to "blue light" that is emitted from the screens of smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the evidence behind niacin and has acknowledged the following claims:

• Contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
• Contributes to normal psychlogical function
• Contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
• Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue