Research Highlights Potential Risks of Long-Term Melatonin Use
New research has raised concerns about the long-term use of melatonin, a common sleeping aid. An analysis involving over 130,000 adults with insomnia, spanning multiple countries, found that individuals prescribed melatonin for more than one year had significantly higher heart risks.
Key Findings
- Those using melatonin long-term had an 89% increased risk of heart failure over five years.
- The risk of death from any cause was doubled compared to those not taking melatonin.
Context and Cautions
These findings are preliminary and have not yet undergone peer review. They do not definitively prove that melatonin causes these health problems. Instead, they highlight a need for further investigation into the safety of extended melatonin use.
"The results suggest longer-term uses of melatonin need to be studied further to ensure they are safe."
Melatonin is generally considered safe and well-tolerated for short-term use, typically up to 1 to 2 months, especially for adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. However, the effects of taking melatonin beyond this period remain unclear due to limited research.
Growing Popularity Spurs Research Demand
As melatonin continues to grow in popularity and is currently the fourth most popular natural supplement among U.S. adults, researchers emphasize the importance of understanding its long-term impact on health.
The new study was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, underscoring the emerging interest in this issue within the medical community.
Related Insight
Previous research has also highlighted benefits of certain dietary supplements, such as one shown to reduce aggression by up to 28%, indicating the complex effects supplements can have on health.
Author’s Summary
Preliminary data link long-term melatonin use to increased heart failure risk, prompting a call for more comprehensive safety studies as this supplement’s popularity rises.