褪黑素已成为治疗失眠和睡眠不良的一种安全、天然的药物。梅奥诊所指出，与处方药不同，它不会上瘾，副作用也很小。有些人在服用褪黑素补充剂后可能会经历轻微的焦虑、困惑、胃痛或颤抖，但这些反应很少见。但你可能不知道，褪黑素对消化功能有直接影响。
Besides its role in the sleep-wake cycle, this hormone regulates several functions in your body. Its levels in the gut are about 400 times higher than those in the pineal gland, notes a 2011 review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Therefore, it's not surprising that melatonin regulates digestion and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Researchers say that it exerts both excitatory and inhibitory effects on the gut, meaning that it can speed up or slow down the passage of food. High doses of melatonin may slow the intestinal transit, while small doses increase peristalsis, or intestinal muscle contractions.
除了它在睡眠-觉醒周期中发挥作用外，这种激素还能调节身体的几种功能。2011年发表在《世界胃肠病学杂志》上的一篇评论指出，它在肠道中的含量大约是松果体的400倍。因此，褪黑素具有调节消化和胃肠(GI)运动的功能也就不足为奇了。研究人员说，它对肠道既有兴奋作用又有抑制作用，这意味着它可以加速或减缓食物的通过。大剂量的褪黑素可能会减缓肠道传输，而小剂量的褪黑素则会增加肠蠕动或肠肌收缩。
This dietary supplement may benefit those with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), suggests the above review. The question is, does melatonin cause constipation? After all, it can slow down GI motility when used in large doses.
上述综述表明，这种膳食补充剂可能有益于克罗恩病、溃疡性结肠炎或肠易激综合征(IBS)患者。问题是，褪黑激素会导致便秘吗?毕竟，当大剂量使用时，它可以减缓胃肠运动。
What's the link between melatonin and constipation?
褪黑素和便秘之间有什么联系?
The human body produces melatonin on its own. Its levels go up in the late evening and begin to gradually decline after 4:00 p.m., explains a 2012 review published in Food and Nutrition Research. This hormone regulates your internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep. Certain factors, such as your age and diet, can affect melatonin synthesis and lead to sleep problems. One way to counteract this issue is to take melatonin supplements, which contain a synthetic version of the hormone.
人体自身会产生褪黑素。2012年发表在《食品和营养研究》上的一篇评论解释说，褪黑素的水平在深夜升高，下午4点后开始逐渐下降。这种激素调节着人的生物钟，使人更容易入睡。某些因素，如你的年龄和饮食，会影响褪黑素的合成，并导致睡眠问题。解决这个问题的一种方法是服用褪黑素补充剂，这类补充剂含有一种合成的褪黑素。
Like other health products, melatonin may cause mild adverse reactions ranging from drowsiness to headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. But constipation is rarely one of them. "As a gastroenterologist specializing in functional gut disorders for 15 years, I have never known melatonin to be a source of constipation," said Dr. Robin Rose in an interview with POPSUGAR. This product can actually improve IBS symptoms, she added.
梅奥诊所称，与其他保健品一样，褪黑激素可能会引起轻微的不良反应，例如嗜睡或头痛。但很少引起便秘。罗宾·罗斯博士在接受POPSUGAR采访时说：“作为一名15年来专门研究功能性肠道疾病的胃肠病学家，我从未发现褪黑素是便秘的病因。”。她补充说，这种褪黑素产品实际上可以改善肠易激综合征的症状。
The problem is that not all melatonin supplements are created equal. Their quality, efficacy, and composition vary among brands. Therefore, it's possible to experience constipation after using this product. "The ingredients in a drug or supplement can change — even what's holding the tablet or the capsule together — and that could cause irritation in your GI system," neurologist Rachel Salas told Women's Health. Some of these ingredients may cause digestive issues.
问题是并非所有的褪黑激素补充剂都是一样的。它们的质量、功效和成分因品牌而异。因此，使用本产品后还是会有便秘的可能。神经学家Rachel Salas告诉《妇女健康》杂志，“药物或补充剂中的成分可能会发生变化，甚至是药片或胶囊的成分也会发生变化，这可能会对你的胃肠系统造成刺激。”。其中一些成分可能会引起消化问题。
