The prevalence of melatonin supplement use has increased over time | Health, Medicine and Fitness
TUESDAY, Feb. 1, 2022 (HealthDay News) — The reported prevalence of melatonin supplement use increased significantly from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, with the prevalence of use of more than 5 mg/day also increasing to from 2005 to 2006, according to a research letter published in the February 1 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.
Jingen Li, MD, Ph.D., of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and colleagues used data from the 1999-2000 through 2017-2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Survey to examine the reported prevalence and usage trends of melatonin supplements among US adults; data were included from 55,021 adults (mean age, 47.5 years). Additionally, the prevalence of using more than 5 mg/day of melatonin was examined.
The researchers found that the overall weighted prevalence of melatonin use increased from 0.4 to 2.1 percent from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, with the increase beginning in 2009 to 2010. Similar trends were observed by gender and age groups. There were no reports of melatonin use above 5 mg/day before 2005 to 2006. The reported prevalence then increased from 0.08 to 0.28% from 2005-2006 to 2017-2018.
“These estimates may raise safety concerns, especially since the actual melatonin content of marketed supplements can be up to 478% higher than the content stated on the label and the supporting evidence of the Melatonin use for sleep disturbances are low,” the authors write.
One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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