URGENT Supplement Warning for Kids
Just because something is common, it DOESN’T make it safe.
And neither does “being natural” mean it’s okay for everyone.
This is true of anything—including supplements.
That’s why I was so alarmed when I found out that 20 percent of children and pre-teens are taking a supplement I’ve warned about in the past.
The use of a dangerous substance is soaring among school-aged children. And it’s not drug dealers giving it to them. It’s their parents!
I’m talking about the “sleep supplement” melatonin.
Researchers surveyed 1,000 parents to determine their kid’s melatonin use just over the past 30 days.
They found melatonin had been given to…
- 6 percent of preschoolers aged 1-4,
- 5 percent of children ages 5-9, and
- 4 percent of children ages 10-13.
This wasn’t a one-and-done situation, either.
The preschool-aged children had been taking melatonin for an average of one year. And the school-aged children had been taking it for about 18 to 21 months.
The older the kid, the higher the dose typically was.
My friend, this is SHOCKING.
First, melatonin is a hormone, NOT a vitamin. Taking it willy-nilly for extended periods has already been linked to problems like headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, and low blood pressure.
It also carries the potential risk of retinal thinning.
Scientists are now concerned that pumping young bodies full of the stuff could impact hormonal development, affecting developing brains and influencing the onset of puberty.
Because melatonin is often in gummy form, it’s easy to take FAR more than recommended.
In fact, reports of melatonin overdose to poison control centers increased by 530 percent from 2012 to 2021.
But it gets worse. Another study published earlier this year found that many melatonin supplements can contain 74 to 347 percent MORE melatonin than what was listed on the label.
The second problem here is that so many kids need help with sleep.
I can assure you they don’t have a melatonin supplement deficiency. They have a circadian rhythm that’s out of whack.
Lifestyle issues like lack of time outdoors, too much screen time (which causes overexposure to blue light), terrible diets, lack of activity, and more have knocked their internal clocks entirely out of balance.
Step one to fixing your sleep problems—no matter your age—is to FIX your environment.
That means getting plenty of sunlight exposure (especially early morning light), reducing screen time (and blue light exposure) at night, and sleeping in a completely dark room.
That should be enough to reset the circadian for most folks… especially kids. But if you need a little extra help along the way, adults can try a supplement like 5-HTP or hydroxytryptophan.
These are precursors to melatonin that can be safe and effective for helping with sleep while avoiding the potential problems of taking melatonin directly.
But be sure to check with a pediatrician before giving them or ANY supplements to children.
And if you have grandchildren or great grandchildren be sure to share this vital information with your adult children as well.
P.S. Still can’t sleep? Try these insomnia BUSTING tips. (Works for KIDS too!)
SOURCE:
Lauren E. Hartstein et al. “Characteristics of Melatonin Use Among US Children and Adolescents.” JAMA Pediatrics, 2023 DOI: 10. 1001 /jamapediatrics.2023.4749
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
Heart Health Begins in Your BRAIN
There are plenty of reasons to add exercise to your regular routine. It naturally… boosts energy levels, improves sleep, aids with weight loss, strengthens bones, reduces blood pressure, improves brain health, reduces stress, and much more. Now, researchers have identified a unique way exercise can reduce heart-related risks—and it begins in your brain. In a […]
The HEALTHIEST Vegetables You Should Eat Daily
Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends eating five servings EACH of fruit and vegetables daily? I don’t know many people who can fit that amount of produce into their daily diet. If you do, great. If not, I have a list of the healthiest vegetables to provide the MOST bang for your […]
Boost Bone Strength WITHOUT Drugs
Have you been talked into getting a bone scan for osteoporosis yet? If you haven’t, it’s coming. But you won’t get that spiel from me. Too often, folks get these scans who don’t need them—and then doctors incorrectly interpret the results. This adds up to countless seniors who’ve been told they have osteoporosis when they […]
Target the TRUE Cause of Dry Eyes
Cases of dry eye syndrome are skyrocketing. Approximately 20 million folks in the USA alone battle the condition. And that number is rapidly growing among young and older adults alike. That means if you’re not already battling dry eyes—and you’re one of the thousands constantly reaching for artificial tears because your body isn’t producing enough […]
Take A STAND Against High Blood Pressure [EASY!]
Often, what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO for your health. For example, not smoking, not eating processed food, and not exposing yourself to blue light at night will go a long way toward helping you live a longer, healthier life. The same is true for your blood pressure. Research […]
Fall Asleep FAST and Stay Asleep LONGER
If you’re dealing with a sleep problem, chances are good that you’re dealing with lifestyle problems. Insomnia is typically a telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption (not enough morning sun, too much blue light from TV at night), stress, too much caffeine late in the day, long daytime naps, etc. You get the picture. But […]
Dietary Trigger for IBD REVEALED
Cases of irritable bowel diseases (IBD)—like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—have skyrocketed in recent years… especially in industrialized nations. What is it about our modern society that increases the risk and severity of these inflammatory diseases? Scientists still don’t know the cause, but in my opinion, you don’t need to look any further than the […]
5 NATURAL Supplements to Boost Your Mood
Research has revealed MANY things that can boost your mood, including exercise, sleep, spending time with pets, listening to music, and keeping a gratitude journal. But can a better mood come in a bottle? More specifically, a supplement bottle? Scientists say, “YES!” In fact, research has revealed FIVE natural mood-boosting supplements that are proven to […]
Popular Pain Reliever BAD for Your Heart?!
Last week, I explained that mainstream medicine’s options for pain relief always come with a catch. Today, I will reveal a prime example of that “catch.” It turns out that a common pain reliever that’s supposedly the “best option” for people with heart disease might not be as safe as you’ve been led to believe. […]
Food Sensitivities Trigger Mysterious Symptoms
What do joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, and brain fog all have in common? They can all be caused by food sensitivities. Identifying problem foods—and eliminating them from your diet—can improve chronic symptoms ranging from migraine headaches and joint pain to skin rashes, brain fog, and even fatigue and fibromyalgia. The only problem? Most people—and […]