Night Calm® with Melatonin

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FUNCTIONS / OBJECTIVE
The ingredients used in Vinco’s Night Calm® have been clinically and traditionally shown to support disrupted circadian rhythm while promoting a sense of calmness resulting in more restful sleep.

Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body’s circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm, and internal 24 hour “clock”, plays a critical role as to when we fall asleep and when we wake up. Melatonin production begins when it is dark, and slows when it is light. Being exposed to bright lights in the evening or too little light in the day can disrupt the body’s normal melatonin cycle. Jet lag, shift work and poor vision can also play a factor in disrupted melatonin cycle.

Studies and clinical research have shown melatonin supplementation to be beneficial with patients who have disrupted circadian rhythms related to insomnia.

L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea which has been shown to induce a sense of calm. There are many benefits associated with L-theanine supplementation including: anxiety reduction, cognitive enhancement, sleep quality improvement, and increased subjective well-being. [1]

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passion flower has been used traditionally as a calming herb mostly for anxiety and insomnia. Scientists
believe passion ­flower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed. [2,3]

Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis)
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion. Several studies show that lemon balm combined with other calming
herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep. [4,5,6]

Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind.The dried flowers of chamomile contain many terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to its medicinal properties. Most people in the U.S. who take chamomile use it to relieve anxiety or help them sleep. So far there has been only one controlled, randomized clinical trial using chamomile to treat anxiety in people. It found that chamomile capsules reduced symptoms of anxiety in people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Animal studies have found that low doses of chamomile may relieve anxiety, while higher doses help sleep. [7,8]

Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness since the second century A.D. Scientists aren't sure how valerian works, but they believe it increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA helps regulate nerve cells and has a calming effect on anxiety. Valerian is a popular alternative to prescription medications for sleep problems because it is considered to be both safe and gentle. Some studies show that it helps people fall asleep faster and feel that they have a better quality of sleep. [9,10,11]

Magnesium Gluconate
Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body. According to scientific research, magnesium gluconate shows the highest level of bioavailability of any magnesium salt. Magnesium is critical to numerous functions in the body and sleep is no exception. In fact it is known to help our bodies relax because it can reduce the affects of stress and anxiety, relax muscles, and help calm the nervous system. [12]

WARNING
Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. Long-term use of Melatonin has not been studied. If you are taking any prescription medication (especially hormone replacement therapy), or have an auto-immune disease or depressive disorder consult a physician before using this product. Use of this product could cause hypothermia. Do not use before or while operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

REFERENCES
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946991

2. Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M. Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001;26:369-373.

3. Elsas SM, Rossi DJ, Raber J, White G, Seeley CA, Gregory WL, Mohr C, Pfankuch T, Soumyanath A. Passionflora incarnata L. (Passionflower) extracts elicit GABA currents in hippocampal neurons in vitro, and show anxiogenic and anticonvulsant effects in vivo, varying with extraction method. Phytomedicine. 2010;17:940-9.

4. Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytother Res. 2006;20(2):96-102.

5. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, Perry EK, Wesnes KA. Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm). Psychosom Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;66(4):607-13.

6. Kennedy DO, Wake G, Savelev S, et al., Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003;28(10):1871-81.

7. Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, Mao JJ, Rockwell K, Newberg AB. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):44-9.

8. Amsterdam JD, Yimei L, Soeller I, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;29(4):378-382.

9. Attele AS, Xie JT, Yuan CS. Treatment of insomnia: an alternative approach.Altern Med Rev. 2000;5:249-259.

10. Balderer G, Borbely AA. Effect of valerian on human sleep. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1985;87:406-409.

11. Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006;119:1005-12. Review.

12. Guerrera MP, Volpe SL, Mao JJ. Therapeutic uses of magnesium. Am Fam Physician 2009;80:157-62