Researchers have found that long-term use of melatonin, a widely used sleep aid supplement, may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease and premature death, raising questions about the safety of this popular product when used for extended periods.
The study, which included more than 130,000 adults in several countries, showed that people prescribed melatonin for more than a year were 89% more likely to develop heart failure within five years, and their risk of death from any cause was also higher compared to those who did not take it. According to the analysis, long-term melatonin users were about 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, and their mortality rate increased from 4.3% to 7.8%.
The results indicate that long-term use of this dietary supplement requires further research to ensure its safety.
Researcher Ekinedilechuko Nadi, from the SUNY Downstate Primary Care Center and Kings County Hospital in New York City, said: "Melatonin supplements may not be as safe as commonly believed. If our study results are confirmed, it could affect how doctors advise patients about sleep."
However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as participants were not surveyed about their melatonin use, and the study relied solely on their medical records. This means the control group may have included individuals who used melatonin without a prescription.
Carlos Egea, president of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Associations, noted that the results raise questions about melatonin as a chronic treatment and underscore the need for a future study with a control group to clarify its safety profile.
It's worth noting that melatonin is considered safe for short-term use, approximately two months, in non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding individuals. However, research on its longer-term use is limited, which is of interest to researchers given its increasing popularity.
Melatonin supplements mimic a natural hormone produced in the brain to regulate the circadian rhythm, and taking them at the end of the day may help some people to sleep.
The results were presented during the American Heart Association's scientific sessions.
