Melatonin may Help Blood Pressure Health in Men

by | Jan 6, 2012 | 1999, Blood Pressure, Melatonin, Men's Health

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. This 2-day study of 14 men showed that melatonin supplementation decreased systolic blood pressure by 8%, diastolic by 6% and pulsatility index by 17%. 

High blood pressure has been recognized as a worldwide epidemic (1) and is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure (2). One study even suggested that high blood pressure causes half of all heart attacks and strokes (3) and cost our healthcare system $73 billion in 2009 (4). Beyond physical health, high blood pressure can even adversely affect mental health (5). The National Institutes of Health  classifies healthy blood pressure as 120/80 mm Hg or less, blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 as prehypertension and 140/90 mm Hg or greater as high blood pressure (6).

Now a new study (17) suggests that melatonin may help with blood pressure health in men. In the two-day study, 14 normal, healthy men were given either 1 mg of melatonin or placebo on Day 1 and then received the opposite treatment on Day 2. Ninety minutes after supplementation on both days the researchers measured blood flow in a blood vessel (called “pulsatility index”) in the arm as well as blood pressure in both groups. No measurements were taken before the study began, only after supplementation.

By the end of Day 2, the researchers found those in the melatonin group had:

-8% lower systolic blood pressure(the top number – 106 vs. 115 mm Hg, p < 0.01).
– 6% lower diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number – 68 vs. 72 mm Hg, p < 0.02).
– 17% decrease in the pulsatility index (1.16 vs.1.40, p < 0.01), indicating a dilating effect of melatonin.

The 5 to 10 mm Hg decrease seen in the melatonin group has significant health implications, as this decrease has been associated with a 20% reduction in cardiovascular mortality (18). These results led the researchers to conclude that “The obtained data indicate that melatonin has [blood-pressure lowering] and [blood-vessel softening] activities.” in this small test group. Trials in larger groups are needed to confirm these results.

Source: Arangino, Serenella, et al. “Effects of melatonin on vascular reactivity, catecholamine levels, and blood pressure in healthy men.” The American journal of cardiology 83.9 (1999): 1417-1419.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors

Posted January 6, 2012.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Danville, CA.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

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