Asthma Patients: Avoid Melatonin Supplements
 (NY, Reuters Health, 9/8/03)

Dr. Richard J. Martin from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Centers in Denver, and associates, studied the melatonin levels and lung function of 31 subjects, whom they divided into 3 groups: nighttime asthmatics, non-nocturnal asthmatics and non-asthmatics. After study participants had established a regular sleep-wake cycle for a week, the researchers measured melatonin levels every 2 hours on the eighth day. The scientists found that, the lung function of nighttime asthmatics decreased as melatonin levels increased and the normal nightly melatonin peak was higher and took longer to reach than in either of the other 2 groups. These findings suggest that nocturnal asthmatics should avoid melatonin supplements because they may exacerbate symptoms.