Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, which lies right above the brain stem, or base of the brain. As light levels lower, the body naturally produces melatonin, which tells the body that it’s time to sleep. Many people use melatonin to combat insomnia and general sleeplessness. Doctors recommend a low dose of melatonin, and it should not be used for healthy children. A long-term side effect of melatonin use in children is the suppression of sex hormones. Melatonin is considered safe for adults, with side effects of high doses including dizziness, headaches, nausea, and sleeplessness.
Author Archives: Connie Wan, Ph. D.
Sleep is a valuable commodity these days. For many reasons, some of us struggle with sleep. There are the obstacles, like work or family, that prevent us from getting enough hours of sleep. However, there’s the issue of quality of sleep, with many of us waking feeling even more exhausted than when we went to bed. This can be frustrating on many levels. Sleep is essential for energy and overall health, and there’s nothing more difficult than knowing what to do to solve problems in your life, like a lack of energy and being unable to do it.
If you’ve joined the throngs of people enjoying functional candy, that is candy with added nutritional supplements like herbs and vitamins, you may be wondering if you need your daily vitamin pill. Taking a daily supplement might be more difficult to remember than eating some yummy candy. And, if your functional candy has vitamins and minerals, are you getting too much nutrition if you still take your daily multi? In this article, we’ll address both of those questions, along with comparing functional candy to vitamins, and what vitamins and supplements are commonly found in functional candy.
Love gummy bears? Did you know gummy bears can be good for you? Athletes like bodybuilders use them before their workouts for easy fuel. In this article, we’ll look more closely at why athletes use gummy bears, and how gummy bears can be good for you.
Functional food is all over the news these days, with proponents touting their health-saving benefits. Or maybe you’ve heard about the rising trend of functional candy, which is part of the functional foods movement. This trend has likely piqued your interest because you know that healthy foods are part of a healthy lifestyle and you’re likely looking for ways to snack more healthfully. Functional foods meet the rising desire of consumers to be more health-conscious by eating healthier foods. In this article, we’ll discuss what functional foods are, and why people choose functional foods. We’ll also look at three popular functional categories: candy, whole foods, and gummies. Yes, gummies have their own category.
Whether you’re new to melatonin or are a veteran where this supplement is concerned, you may be wondering, “How many melatonin gummies should I take?”. Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced in the brain when it becomes dark. Researchers think that melatonin plays other important roles in the body, but it still requires further study. Melatonin can be made from animals, microorganisms, or in a lab. While primarily used as a sleep aid, people use melatonin to help with jet lag, sleep disorders, and anxiety, like before surgery.
There’s good news for health-conscious adults who have a sweet tooth: functional candy is on the rise. Functional candy goes the extra mile and contains ingredients that target specific health needs or provide healthful vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. Some functional candy even contains grown-up ingredients like caffeine or CBD.
Dr. Goldstein has received Top Doc and Top MD awards for his excellent care of allergy, asthma, and immunology patients. Dr. Marc Goldstein has joined gummy medicine pioneer Seattle Gummy Company’s (SGC) medical advisory board, bringing his decades of award-winning medical experience to the table. SGC CEO, Dr. Connie Wan, says she is “thrilled to continue to […]
Everyone has dealt with a poor night’s sleep at some point in their lives. When you don’t get enough sleep, you may experience grogginess, irritability, poor memory, or difficulty concentrating. Sleep is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but what if you have difficulty falling or staying asleep?
You’ve likely heard about the debate on sugar and how much sugar is too much. It’s estimated that two-thirds of global consumers worry about their sugar intake. Nearly everything you eat contains some level of sugar, and sugar provides fuel for your body and other potential health benefits. In many cases, it tends to taste better than sugar-free products, too.