White Plains, New York, September 26, 2017 — Melatonin is now one of the most popular supplements, largely due to its proven ability to trigger sleep. But what is the best way to take melatonin in order to help you fall asleep, and stay asleep? And with so many different forms and doses of melatonin available from supplements on the market, how do you know which product is right for you?
To find out, ConsumerLab.com carefully reviewed the clinical evidence and purchased and tested popular melatonin supplements, including chewable, dissolvable, and timed-release tablets, softgels, liquids, and powders, sold in the U.S. and Canada. Many high-quality melatonin supplements were identified; however, there were significant differences in dose (0.3 mg to 10 mg) and cost (1 cent to $3 for an equivalent dose) which may leave consumers feeling confused.
"If you rely on suggested daily doses on labels, you may not be taking the right amount of melatonin for your needs and you may be taking much more than needed of this hormone," said ConsumerLab.com President Tod Cooperman, M.D. "The amount of melatonin you should take, and when you should take it, will vary depending on your specific sleep issue -- for example, whether you have trouble falling asleep, tend to wake during the night, or are off-schedule after sleeping in on the weekend."
The review summarizes the clinical evidence for melatonin supplements, and explains which sleep problems may be improved with melatonin, how much melatonin should be taken, and when it should be taken to best help with sleep. It also explains the difference between natural, synthetic, and plant-based melatonin, dosage for other uses, safety, and potential side effects and drug interactions.
CL's findings are available online in its new Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks for high quality melatonin at low cost.
Included in the review are test results and quality comparisons for 23 supplements, including 12 selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and 11 that passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, plus information about one product that is similar to another that passed testing. Products covered in the review are: CVS Health Melatonin, Emergen-C Emergen-Zzzz, H-E-B Super Strength Melatonin, Herbatonin, Jarrow Formulas Mellow Tonin, Kroger Melatonin, Life Extension Melatonin, Life Extension Melatonin 300 mcg, Member's Mark [Sam's Club] Timed Release Melatonin, Natrol Liquid Melatonin, Natural Factors Melatonin, Nature's Bounty Melatonin, NOW Liquid Melatonin, Pure Encapsulations Best-Rest, Puritan's Pride Extra Strength Melatonin 5 mg, Rexall [Dollar General] Melatonin, Solgar Melatonin 5 mg, Source Naturals Vegan True Melatonin, Sundown Naturals Melatonin 5 mg, Swanson Melatonin, Trader Darwin's Chewable, TwinLab Melatonin Dots, Well at Walgreens Quick Dissolve Melatonin, and Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep.
Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1,000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.
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To find out, ConsumerLab.com carefully reviewed the clinical evidence and purchased and tested popular melatonin supplements, including chewable, dissolvable, and timed-release tablets, softgels, liquids, and powders, sold in the U.S. and Canada. Many high-quality melatonin supplements were identified; however, there were significant differences in dose (0.3 mg to 10 mg) and cost (1 cent to $3 for an equivalent dose) which may leave consumers feeling confused.
"If you rely on suggested daily doses on labels, you may not be taking the right amount of melatonin for your needs and you may be taking much more than needed of this hormone," said ConsumerLab.com President Tod Cooperman, M.D. "The amount of melatonin you should take, and when you should take it, will vary depending on your specific sleep issue -- for example, whether you have trouble falling asleep, tend to wake during the night, or are off-schedule after sleeping in on the weekend."
The review summarizes the clinical evidence for melatonin supplements, and explains which sleep problems may be improved with melatonin, how much melatonin should be taken, and when it should be taken to best help with sleep. It also explains the difference between natural, synthetic, and plant-based melatonin, dosage for other uses, safety, and potential side effects and drug interactions.
CL's findings are available online in its new Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks for high quality melatonin at low cost.
Included in the review are test results and quality comparisons for 23 supplements, including 12 selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and 11 that passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, plus information about one product that is similar to another that passed testing. Products covered in the review are: CVS Health Melatonin, Emergen-C Emergen-Zzzz, H-E-B Super Strength Melatonin, Herbatonin, Jarrow Formulas Mellow Tonin, Kroger Melatonin, Life Extension Melatonin, Life Extension Melatonin 300 mcg, Member's Mark [Sam's Club] Timed Release Melatonin, Natrol Liquid Melatonin, Natural Factors Melatonin, Nature's Bounty Melatonin, NOW Liquid Melatonin, Pure Encapsulations Best-Rest, Puritan's Pride Extra Strength Melatonin 5 mg, Rexall [Dollar General] Melatonin, Solgar Melatonin 5 mg, Source Naturals Vegan True Melatonin, Sundown Naturals Melatonin 5 mg, Swanson Melatonin, Trader Darwin's Chewable, TwinLab Melatonin Dots, Well at Walgreens Quick Dissolve Melatonin, and Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep.
Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1,000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.
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