Common Supplement Shows Concerning Link to Heart Failure
New research on a popular sleeping aid has raised concerns about its long-term use. An analysis involving over 130,000 adults with insomnia across multiple countries, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, revealed that those prescribed melatonin for more than a year faced significant health risks.
Key Findings
- People using melatonin long-term had an 89% higher risk of heart failure over five years.
- They were twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those not prescribed melatonin.
Context and Implications
The findings are preliminary and do not alter current health guidelines. This does not necessarily indicate that melatonin, one of the most popular natural products taken by adults in the US, directly causes these serious effects.
What the results do suggest is that longer-term uses of melatonin need to be studied further to ensure they are safe.
Current Understanding and Recommendations
Melatonin is generally regarded as safe and well-tolerated for short-term use, typically 1 to 2 months, especially in individuals who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. However, research on effects beyond this period remains limited.
There is limited research on the supplement's effects after that time, a situation that some researchers believe should be remedied, especially as the supplement grows in popularity.
This new research was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, emphasizing the need for further investigation on long-term melatonin use.
Author's Summary: Recent data signals potential heart risks linked to melatonin use beyond a year, urging more comprehensive research on its long-term safety despite its widespread short-term use.