Sleep Health

- 3 min read

Can Melatonin Be Bought In Malaysia?

Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the brain, is often used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. Unfortunately, melatonin can be difficult to obtain in some countries, such as Malaysia. There are several online retailers that sell melatonin, but buyers should be aware that some products may not be effective and may have side effects.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the brain.

The primary role of melatonin is to regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which is the natural cycle of day and night that controls many aspects of our daily lives.

Melatonin levels naturally rise at night when it is dark and fall during the day when it is light. In some countries, melatonin is available over-the-counter in both pill and liquid form to help regulate sleep patterns or to treat conditions such as jet lag or insomnia.

What are the benefits of having a healthy melatonin level?

There are many benefits to having a healthy melatonin level. One of the most important benefits is that it can help you get a good night's sleep. Melatonin helps control your body's natural clock or circadian rhythm. It plays a role in the timing of your sleep-wake cycle. When your melatonin levels are low, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Another benefit of having a healthy melatonin level is that it can help protect your brain from damage. Studies have shown that people with low melatonin levels are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Melatonin may also help protect against stroke and other types of brain damage.

Additionally, research suggests that melatonin may play a role in preventing cancer, heart disease, and strengthening immunity.

Is Melatonin legal in Malaysia?

Although melatonin is available over-the-counter in some countries or even can be bought through online channels, it is a prescription drug in Malaysia. Most pharmacies in Malaysia do not keep melatonin, since any health supplement products sold need to be registered under the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia. The use of melatonin for insomnia is not approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Health as it is considered a hormone and not a supplement.

Side effects of melatonin

Most people know melatonin as a natural sleep aid. What many don't know is that it can also cause side effects, some of which are common.

These side effects include but are not limited to: headache, dizziness, nausea, and irritability. In most cases, these side effects are mild and go away within a few days. However, if they persist or become bothersome, it's best to speak with a doctor.

Natural Melatonin alternative in Malaysia

corn leaf extract Maizinol(TM) can be natural alternative to melatonin.

There is some evidence that corn leaf extract can be a natural alternative to melatonin supplements. Maizinol is a patented ingredient derived from Zea mays corn leaf extract and is a natural alternative to melatonin.

This patented corn leaf extract works through the melatonin pathway. It increases the body's own production of melatonin. Also, the compound structure has similarities to melatonin, so it’s also binding to melatonin receptors. The innovator has done a clinical study showing the ingredient significantly increased deep-sleep time by 30 minutes when taken before bed. Other than that, it also showed a 30% reduction in cortisol levels compared to placebo with a saliva test the next morning. [source]

In short, Maizinol corn leaf extract helps to improve sleep quality and duration, and it also has anti-anxiety effects. It does not cause any next-day drowsiness like synthetic melatonin in consumers. This product is available in Malaysia's pharmacy stores under the brand name "The PrimAGE ReszGuard".

Conclusion

Melatonin is a prescription item in Malaysia, and it is not readily available in most pharmacy stores due to legality and registration issue. Although some can get it through online channels, it is important to consult with a doctor before taking melatonin, as it may not be appropriate for everyone.

Finally, synthetic melatonin is a hormone molecule by itself, it should take into consideration its safeness if intended to take it for extended periods of time, and it is important to discontinue use if any adverse effects are experienced. Natural corn leaf extract, which aids the body in regulating its own melatonin levels, maybe the best alternative.

9 Unexpected Sleep Wreckers: Are you sabotaging your sleep without knowing it?

It's no secret that getting a good night's sleep is essential for overall health. However, there are several factors that can negatively impact our sleep, and sometimes we don't even realize it. Here are nine sleep wreckers that you may not have considered:

Sleep wrecker 1: Overeating at dinner

Eating large meals late at night can cause problems with sleep because they can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. When you eat a large meal right before bedtime, your body has to work hard to digest all of the food. This can keep you awake and restless throughout the night.

If you are struggling with insomnia, try eating smaller meals during dinner and avoid eating anything heavy within two hours of bedtime. This will help your body relax and get the quality sleep you need.

Sleep wrecker 2: Watching TV or digital gadgets at night

It's 11 p.m. and you're watching tv or scrolling through your social media feeds for the hundredth time tonight. You should be getting ready for bed, but you can't stop watching the Korean drama series, videos of baby animals or people doing exciting stunts. Sound familiar? If you're like most people, you've probably had trouble sleeping at some point because you stayed up too late watching TV.

There's nothing inherently wrong with watching TV in the evening, but it can be a problem if it keeps you from getting enough sleep. It is recommended to get no more than two hours of screen time before bedtime. Watching TV or digital gadget can make it harder to fall asleep and harder to stay asleep throughout the night.

If you're having trouble sleeping, try turning off the TV and putting away your phone earlier in the evening and spending some time winding down before bed.

Sleep wrecker 3: You do work in bed

Working in bed is a common habit, but it's one that can rob you of the sleep you need. When you work in bed, your body associates the bed with wakefulness. This makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

If you can't sleep, get out of bed and do something calming until you feel tired enough to sleep again. Reading or taking a bath are good choices. Once you're sleepy, go back to bed and try to relax. Don't use your bed for anything but sleeping... and sex.

Sleep wrecker 4: Having pets in bed

Many people sleep with their pets in bed, but this can actually keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Pets can often be disruptive and keep you up at night. If you're trying to get some shut-eye, it's best to keep your furry friend out of the bedroom.

Pets in bed may disrupt your sleep cycle

Sleep wrecker 5: Drinking alcohol before sleep

There's no question that alcohol can help people fall asleep faster, but it's not a good idea to rely on it for regular sleep.

Alcohol initially depresses the nervous system, which can help people fall asleep. However, as the alcohol wears off, it has the opposite effect, causing people to wake up more frequently and feel less rested. In addition, drinking too much alcohol can disrupt the normal sleep cycle and lead to problems such as snoring and night sweats.

Sleep wrecker 6: Undiagnosed GERD

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition that can cause discomfort and difficulty sleeping. GERD is caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. This acid can irritate the lining of the oesophagus and cause symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Sleep wrecker 7: Stress and depression

Do you know the feeling? You're exhausted, but your mind races and you can't get to sleep. This is a common experience for people who are under stress. It's not surprising that stress and sleep problems are often linked.

There are several reasons why stress can interfere with sleep. Stress hormones like cortisol can keep you awake by increasing alertness and energy. When you're stressed, it's also common to have racing thoughts or worries that keep you from falling asleep. Finally, if you're chronically stressed, your body may become conditioned to be awake when cortisol levels are high.

Sleep wrecker 8: Hormones fluctuation

Hormonal fluctuation a common sleep wrecker for women

For women, insomnia can be caused by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones can cause difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This is especially true during the week before your period when estrogen levels are higher and progesterone levels are lower. Other times when hormone fluctuations can cause insomnia include the week after your period, during menopause, and when you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Sleep wrecker 9: Bladder problems

Many people suffer from bladder problems and cannot sleep because of the discomfort. Nocturia is a common problem where you have to go to the bathroom frequently at night. This can keep you from getting a good night's sleep.

Cut back on fluids before bedtime. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can cause dehydration and make the problem worse. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Extra pounds put pressure on your bladder and can aggravate the problem. Exercise regularly to help tone your pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control.

Don't underestimate the importance of sleep!

There are many things that can interfere with our sleep without us even realizing it. By being aware of these sleep wreckers, we can take steps to avoid them and get the rest we need. So if you're having trouble sleeping, take a look at your daily routine and see if you can make some changes. And don't forget to relax before bedtime and create an environment that is conducive to sleep.

How does Melatonin Influence Your Body's Internal Clock?

The hormone of darkness - Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that helps you fall asleep by triggering feelings of drowsiness. Melatonin levels rise in reaction to darkness, coordinating with the circadian rhythm (a 24-hour cycle that governs physical activities) to prepare your body for the first stage of sleep, awake. Sleep quality can be harmed by low melatonin synthesis, making it difficult to fall asleep. Night shift workers, those with sleep disorders, and frequent travellers may have sleep disruptions and poor sleep quality, which can be connected to melatonin deficiency.

What regulates melatonin production?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain's hypothalamus regulates melatonin release by coordinating the timing of biological activities. The SCN, which is located above the optic nerves that connect your brain to your eyes, determines however much melatonin it secretes based on the amount of light entering your eyes. When it gets darker outside, your body produces more melatonin, which makes you sleepy. If your circadian clock is out of whack, your body may produce irregular melatonin throughout the day, causing sleep-wake cycles to be disrupted or sleep disorders to develop.

The consequences of melatonin deficiency in the human body

Poor sleep quality

When it comes to enhancing your performance and concentration, sleep is one of the most significant components. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, plays an important role in your sleep. Restlessness, a poor stress reaction, sleeplessness, and waking up too early in the morning can all be indicators of a deficit.

Stress & anxiety

Cortisol (a stress hormone) levels are at their lowest around midnight, according to research. They will begin to rise two to three hours after you go to bed and will continue to rise throughout the night as you wake up. This demonstrates an inverse relationship between melatonin production and release and cortisol:

The levels of cortisol in the body decrease as the levels of melatonin in the body rise.
As the body's melatonin levels fall, the body's cortisol levels rise.

Thus, a person with a low melatonin level will tend to have a higher stress response & have a risk of an anxiety incidence.

Besides that, Melatonin also aids in the physiological stress response. During the stress response, the body's temperature, blood pressure, and hormone levels all rise. Melatonin is important in the regulation of these physiological factors, which assists the body in relieving stress.

Weaker Immune

Melatonin sends signals to the immune system, and the immune system "talks" back, according to researchers. This "cross-talk" helps to fine-tune and coordinate healthy immunity. It strengthens innate defences against a wide range of pathogens, including viruses and cancer cells.

Melatonin enhances the body's immunity in several ways:

Improving the responses of antibodies that "tag" specific viruses, bacteria, and other invaders to be attacked by various immune system components,
Reducing chronic inflammation, which is the root cause of nearly all age-related chronic diseases
Increasing T cell activity, which aids in the more efficient destruction of pathogens.

Accelerated ageing process

Melatonin aids in the slowing of the ageing process in tissues such as the brain. It protects all tissues in the body because of its' powerful antioxidant property.

Is synthetic melatonin supplement your preferred option?

Melatonin supplements are not authorised for sale over the counter in countries like the UK, Ireland and also in Malaysia. Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in these countries due to the fact that melatonin is a type of hormone. Even though in some other countries it is available to buy in health food shops or online.

When you supplement a hormone (melatonin), you are interfering with your own body's biosynthesis process, which many people cannot tolerate, resulting in a lot of dreams and dizziness in the morning. The common side effects of synthetic melatonin include:

feeling sleepy or tired in the daytime
headache
stomach ache or feeling sick (nausea)
feeling dizzy
feeling irritable or restless
dry mouth
dry or itchy skin
pains in your arms or legs
strange dreams or night sweats

Maize-derived ingredient, a safer alternative to synthetic melatonin

Maizinol, a natural ingredient derived from corn leaves (Zea mays), acts via the melatonin pathway. Its active compound is structurally similar to melatonin, binds with the receptors and boosts the body's own melatonin biosynthesis, without having adverse effects like synthetic melatonin.

Maizinol was found to assist with sleep & stress-related symptoms. A clinical study showed the ingredient significantly increased deep-sleep time by 30 minutes when taken before bed. It has also shown a significant reduction (~30%) in cortisol levels in the early morning.

Maizinol is marketed under the brand The PrimAGE ReszGuard in Malaysia.

Learn more