Melatonin Fit Cause 90% Increase for Heart Problem? New Research Shock Di World
For years, millions of pipo for across di world dey take melatonin supplements as dia go-to solution for sleep problems. Dem dey see am as natural and safe alternative to prescription sleep drugs. But new, ground-breaking research just dey shake dis belief to im foundation. Di study wey dem go present for American Heart Association Scientific Sessions for 2025 don reveal say long-term use of melatonin supplements fit dey connected to serious heart problems, including heart failure, hospitalization, and even death.
Wetin Be Melatonin and Why E Don Become So Popular?
Melatonin na hormone wey our brain pineal gland dey produce naturally. E dey help regulate our body clock and sleep-wake cycle. Synthetic versions of dis hormone don flood pharmacy shelves as over-the-counter supplements, with manufacturers dey market am as “natural” sleep aid wey no get side effects. Unlike prescription medications, melatonin supplements no dey face strong regulation for United States. Dis one mean say di strength, purity, and quality fit dey different from one brand to another, leaving consumers for dark about wetin dem dey actually put for dia body.
Di appeal of melatonin don make am become multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. From busy professionals wey dey find way to sleep quick to elderly pipo wey dey struggle with chronic insomnia, nearly everybody don turn to dis small pill as dia solution for sleep problems. But di latest research dey suggest say dis widespread trust fit dey misplaced.
Di Groundbreaking Study: Methodology and Key Findings
Di research team, led by Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi from SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care, analyze electronic health records from massive international database. Dem focus on more than 130,000 adults wey get chronic insomnia, comparing those wey use melatonin for at least one year with those wey never use di supplement before.
Di results wey dem find dey shocking. Pipo wey dey take melatonin for long term get 90% higher chance to develop heart failure compared to those wey no dey use am. When dem break di numbers down, 4.6% of melatonin users develop heart failure over five-year period, compared to just 2.7% of non-users.
Hospitalization and Death Rates Show Even More Worrying Trend
Di gap between users and non-users dey widen significantly when e come to hospitalization rates. Nearly one out of every five melatonin users (20%) require hospital care for heart failure, compared to fewer than one out of fifteen (less than 7%) non-users. Di mortality statistics dey tell similar worrying story—di melatonin group show 7.8% death rate over di study period, while di control group register 4.3%.
Dr. Nnadi express surprise at how consistent di negative outcomes dey across different measures. “Even after we don account for numerous other risk factors wey fit influence heart health—like age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity—di strong association between long-term melatonin use and heart problems still dey,” im explain.
Expert Reactions and Safety Concerns Wey Di Study Raise
Sleep specialists wey no involve for di research don begin dey react to di findings with serious concern. Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University Irving Medical Center point out one important fact: melatonin no even dey approved for treating insomnia for United States. “Many pipo dey assume say melatonin na approved medication for insomnia, but e no be. E dey sold as dietary supplement, wey mean say e no pass through di same rigorous testing and regulation as prescription drugs,” im note.
Di research dey challenge di common assumption say melatonin supplements dey completely harmless. Dr. Nnadi warn say “If our findings confirm through additional research, dis go significantly affect how doctors dey counsel patients about sleep aids. We need to reconsider di long-term safety of dis widely used supplement.”
Limitations of Di Study and Wetin We Need to Know
As with all scientific research, dis study get some limitations wey important to note. Di international database include countries where melatonin require prescription alongside nations where dem dey sell am over-the-counter. Dis create potential blind spot, as pipo wey dey buy melatonin without prescriptions no go appear for medical records as users.
Di study also no fit account for insomnia severity or di presence of depression and anxiety disorders, wey fit influence both melatonin use and heart disease risk. Most critically, di research show correlation, not causation. E no fit prove say melatonin dey directly cause heart problems—e just show strong connection wey need more investigation.
Wetin Dis Mean for Current Melatonin Users
For millions of pipo wey currently dey depend on melatonin supplements to sleep, di findings fit dey concerning. But experts dey caution say dis no be time to panic. Di study represent preliminary research wey never undergo peer review—crucial step for validating scientific findings.
However, di scope and consistency of di results warrant serious consideration. Heart failure affect about 6.7 million American adults, making any factor wey fit increase risk matter of public health concern.
Alternative Approaches to Better Sleep
Instead of just depending on supplements, sleep specialists dey recommend non-pharmacological approaches to improve sleep quality. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) don show strong evidence as effective long-term solution. Simple lifestyle changes like maintaining consistent sleep schedule, creating relaxing bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and avoiding caffeine late for day fit also make significant difference.
For pipo wey get severe insomnia, consultation with healthcare provider dey important to explore appropriate treatment options wey fit include prescription medications with established safety profiles.
Conclusion: Proceed With Caution
Di new research on melatonin and heart problems serve as important wake-up call about di potential risks of long-term supplement use. While melatonin remain helpful for short-term sleep issues like jet lag, di evidence now dey suggest say extended, regular use fit carry significant cardiovascular risks.
As scientists continue to investigate dis connection, di most prudent approach for consumers na to use melatonin with caution and under medical supervision, especially for long-term management of chronic insomnia. Di days of viewing melatonin as completely harmless sleep aid may don dey numbered as we dey learn more about im potential effects on heart health.