Melatonin Gold

General Questions about Melatonin

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. Melatonin helps control the body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock and, by doing so, supports restful sleep. Research also demonstrates that melatonin has unique antioxidant properties and may benefit immune health. (visit the source of information website of National Center for Biotechnology Information)

What are some risk factors for a deficiency in melatonin?

Exposure to artificial light in the evening hours, especially blue light (e.g. smart-phones), flying through multiple time zones, and frequent changes in one’s work schedule can disrupt the body’s internal clock and impact the pineal gland’s release of melatonin in the body. Melatonin levels may be influenced by stress, overconsumption of alcohol/caffeine, and smoking as well. Because the reasons for a melatonin deficiency can be complex and varied, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional if you are concerned about the health of your pineal gland or if you are considering taking melatonin to support healthy sleep.

Are there any food sources of melatonin?

Melatonin occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods including fish, eggs, nuts, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. It is worth noting that melatonin is often present in such tiny amounts in food that it may not produce observable health benefits. If you are interested in learning more about the dietary sources of melatonin, visit the National Center for Biotechnology Information website.

Can melatonin be taken long-term?

Melatonin is typically taken on a short-term basis to promote restful sleep and a normal circadian rhythm. We encourage you to consult your healthcare provider to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Is melatonin habit-forming?

Melatonin is a hormone made naturally in the human body and is not known for creating symptoms of dependence or for being habit-forming. Melatonin works with the body’s own chemistry to promote a healthy sleep cycle. That being said, as with any supplement, individual experiences can and do vary, so if you have any concerns about the risk of dependency with long-term use of melatonin, please talk to your healthcare provider prior to supplementation.

Is there any way to improve my sleep quality without having to supplement with melatonin?

In healthy individuals, the pineal gland releases melatonin in response to darkness in preparation for sleep and getting an adequate amount of natural light during the day may help support the release of natural melatonin by the pineal gland at night. Given this, the best way to improve your sleep quality without relying on melatonin or other supplements is to spend time outdoors when possible during the day and avoid exposure to bright sources of light, particularly the blue light emitted by electronic devices, during the evening hours before bedtime. As with any supplement, we encourage you to discuss any concerns you may have about your sleep cycle, or the potential use of melatonin, with a healthcare professional so that you can make an educated decision on the best way to support your specific health goals.

Can melatonin supplements be taken with OTC or prescription medications?

If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions.

Still have questions?

• For general information about melatonin, check out the resources below—
• Melatonin: What You Need to Know - National Institutes of Health
• Melatonin and Sleep — Sleep Foundation
• For specific guidance on the suitability of melatonin to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Questions about Melatonin Gold

What is the source of NutriGold’s melatonin? How does it compare to most melatonin supplements?

Most melatonin supplements provide synthetic melatonin created with industrial chemicals and harsh solvents. In contrast, Melatonin Gold provides a completely natural, plant-based melatonin from wild-crafted St. John’s wort flowers. The St. John’s wort is not treated with any pesticides, collected using an environmentally-friendly and sustainable method, and gently extracted using food-grade ethanol only. In addition, Melatonin Gold is Non-GMO Project Verified, certified vegan, certified kosher, and manufactured without chemical additives, which is consistent with our commitment to making the cleanest supplements using the purest and most sustainable ingredients available.

Does the St. John's wort extract also contain hypericin and/or hyperforin like the standardized extracts in St. John's wort supplements?

Hypericin and hyperforin are both bioactive compounds that are present in St. John's wort and the natural concentration of these compounds varies based on region, harvest season, etc. Most commercially available St. John's wort supplements are standardized to contain about 0.3% hypericin and/or 3% hyperforin. Although the phyto-melatonin in Melatonin Gold is derived from St. John’s wort, most of the hypericin/hyperforin content is removed during processing. So, residual amounts of hypericin/hyperforin, even if present, are very low in Melatonin Gold. 

Should individuals who avoid St. John's wort extract due to possible herb-drug interactions with other OTC or prescription medications they may be taking also avoid Melatonin Gold?

As a general rule, consumers taking any OTC or prescription medication should always talk to their healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement to ensure that the supplement is safe and effective for their particular health needs. 

Supplements made using St. John's wort extract standardized to hypericin and/or hyperforin typically include the following warning—"This product should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, or by persons who are taking antidepressant medications. Persons taking other prescription drugs should seek the advice of their prescribing physician prior to using this product. Avoid excessive exposure to UV radiation (e.g., sunlight or tanning) while using this product. Keep out of reach of children."

However, our understanding is that these warnings about possible herb-drug interaction when taking St. John's wort extract are attributable mostly to the standardized amounts of hypericin and/or hyperforin in the extract. And, although the phyto-melatonin in Melatonin Gold is derived from St. John’s wort, most of the hypericin/hyperforin content is removed during processing, so the potential for herb-drug interaction risk when taking Melatonin Gold, while theoretically present, is very low.

It is also worth noting that typical dosage of St. John's wort standardized to hypericin and/or hyperforin is 300 mg up to 3 times daily (900 mg a day) and, at the recommended maximum daily dosage of Melatonin Gold, consumers would be taking only a fraction (about 5%) of that standard 900 mg daily dosage. This provides additional assurance that Melatonin Gold should be safe when taken as recommended and, if you are taking OTC or prescription medications, under the guidance of your healthcare provider. Please be advised that the clarification provided is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat a medical condition, or as a replacement for professional medical opinion. In keeping with our fundamental guiding principle to "do no harm," we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider prior to supplementing with Melatonin Gold to ensure that it is both safe and effective for your particular health needs.

What is the best time of day to take Melatonin Gold?

Melatonin Gold should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime or as directed by a healthcare professional. Melatonin may cause drowsiness and should not be taken before an activity that requires alertness. As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Why does Melatonin Gold contain tapioca maltodextrin?

At NutriGold, we make every effort to make products without the use of any additives. However, there may be times, as in the case of our Melatonin Gold product, when an additive may be required to ensure finished product integrity. When that happens, we mindfully choose to use plant-based additives like tapioca maltodextrin instead of the more commonly used additives like corn starch, corn maltodextrin, and soy lecithin. 

Can I break apart the capsule and add the contents to liquid/food to consume?

All of our products are formulated to be taken as capsules and our purity and potency claims are based on the product being taken as recommended. We generally do not recommend breaking apart the capsules because it can introduce contaminants or otherwise compromise product potency and effectiveness.

Can I take more than what is recommended on the label?

Because we are not a licensed healthcare provider, we regret we cannot make any recommendations with regard to taking a dosage higher than what is suggested on the product label.

Is Melatonin Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?

Melatonin Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not Melatonin Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation. 

How does NutriGold ensure the purity of the ingredients used in its melatonin product?

At NutriGold, we go beyond what is recommended or required under current GMPs to independently verify that the raw materials used in our products as well as the finished products themselves meet industry-defining quality and purity standards. Depending on the complexity of the testing involved, including determining what needs to be tested, what methods are fit-for-purpose, and which lab is most qualified to perform the testing, we sometimes have results from as many as 4 or 5 different independent, ISO-certified labs for each product. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website, so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. You can also visit our Certificates of Analysis page to view all product certificates.

What assurance can you provide that the amount of melatonin listed on the label is actually in the product?

All of our products are verified by independent third-party labs to meet identity, purity, and potency label claims. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (C of A) that are freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. The C of A provides assurance that the claims made on the label accurately reflect the contents of the product inside the bottle. To learn more about our commitment to independent, third party quality testing, visit our Accountability Commitment page.

Questions about capsule shell

What is in the capsules used by NutriGold to encapsulate its products?

Depending on the formulation, NutriGold products are encapsulated using cellulose, pullulan, organic pullulan, or soft gel capsules. Information regarding the composition of the capsule shell is provided in the “Informed Purchasing Decision Checklist” and is accurate to the best of our knowledge based on information available in the public domain as well as supply-chain documentation provided by the capsule and soft gel manufacturers/vendors.

Are any processing aids used in the production of the empty vegetarian capsule?

Yes. Minor amounts (~ 3%) of processing aids are used in the production of the empty vegetarian (cellulose) capsule shell. The processing aids used in the manufacturing of the capsule shell have been identified as proprietary by the capsule manufacturer and protected by intellectual property and confidentiality agreements between the capsule manufacturer/vendor and NutriGold. As such, we are legally bound to maintain this information strictly confidential and regret that we cannot provide this information to consumers. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.  

Are the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shells present in the finished product?

Processing aids that are used in the production of the capsule shell may be present in the finished empty capsule shell. We regret we cannot provide precise information on the type of processing aid(s) or the approximate residual amount of the processing aid(s) in the finished capsule shell because it would require us to divulge information proprietary to the capsule manufacturer. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shell are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.

I am concerned about a possible allergy to the processing aid(s) used in the production of the capsule shells. How can I find out what processing aids are used so I can determine whether the product is safe for me to take?

Although we make every effort to provide as much information as we can about the ingredients in our products to help consumers make educated purchasing decisions, there may be times when we cannot provide the requested information or clarification because it is proprietary to the manufacturer, as in the case of the processing aids. Disclosing protected information to unauthorized individuals, within and outside our organization, is not just unethical, but also unlawful. If you are concerned about a potential allergy to the processing aid(s) that may have been used in the production of the capsule shell, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider prior to making a purchasing decision. 

Why does NutriGold® sometimes use soft gelatin capsules to encapsulate its products?

At NutriGold®, we are committed to offering sustainable products using non-GMO, organic, and/or vegan ingredients, and this includes the capsule shell we use to encapsulate those ingredients. In fact, many of our products are certified vegan by Vegan Action®, helping provide unbiased assurance that the product (and the ingredients it contains) comply with both dietary and ethical vegan standards. However, there are some ingredients (e.g. fish oil, ubiquinol, astaxanthin) that are more sensitive to oxygen and can, consequently, oxidize or degrade. For ingredients like these, bovine gelatin soft gelatin capsule shells offer better protection and help ensure finished product integrity until the end of the shelf-life of the product. That being said, we are hopeful that growing consumer awareness of and demand for vegan options will continue to drive innovation in dietary supplement delivery systems and we are committed to replacing the gelatin soft gels in our products with a clean-label, vegan capsule shell that offers the same protection from the elements as the gelatin capsule when such an option becomes available.

Questions about the ‘Best By’ date and ‘Consume by’ recommendation

What does the “Best by” date printed on the bottom of the bottle mean?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

Is the product safe to take after the “Best by” date printed on the bottle?

As long as the product is stored and handled under conditions that will not cause it to become contaminated, the product should be safe to take past the “Best By” date printed on the bottom of the bottle. However, we do not guarantee that the product will meet stated label claims past the “Best By” date printed on the bottle.

Why does the product I purchased have a recommendation on the label to consume the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle?

The “consume by” recommendation is included on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, please consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

What is the difference between the “Best by” date and the “Consume by” recommendation on your products?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

The “Consume by” recommendation is included only on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, it is important to consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

If the product I purchased contains ingredients that can degrade once the bottle is opened, how can I be confident that I am still getting the declared amounts of the nutrients on the label?

To ensure that our products provide the nutrients in the amounts declared on the label, we intentionally include higher amounts of eco-sensitive ingredients than what is declared on the label to compensate for degradation that may occur once the bottle is opened. The amount of an ingredient that is added above what is declared on the label is referred to as an intentional “overage” and it is added for the precise purpose of compensating for possible potency degradation during routine product storage and handling. That being said, we would like to assure you that we take great care to ensure that the amount of the overage does not exceed established tolerable upper limits and there is no risk of toxicity when the product is taken as directed.

Because there are practical and regulatory considerations on how much of an overage we can include in our different formulations, the most effective option we have available to ensure that consumers get the most out of our products is to provide the “consume by” guidance on products that contain eco-sensitive ingredients. You can be confident that you are getting the declared amounts of the nutrients as long as you store and consume the product within the recommended time frame.

Why do you recommend consuming the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle even though the “Best by” date is months (or years) away?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without chemical preservatives. While the vast majority of ingredients we use in our products are stable and remain potent even after the product is opened, there are some ingredients that are particularly sensitive to environmental factors and must be handled with care from source to shelf, and beyond.

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance (unless it conflicts with instructions from your healthcare provider), so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended.

Will the product still provide benefits past the “consume by” recommendation on the bottle?

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended. Although not consuming the product within the recommended time frame once the bottle is opened will not cause the product to “spoil” or become “unsafe,” the potency of some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients may start to degrade and this can diminish the product’s potential to support your health goals.

What is the best way to store NutriGold products?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without the use of any chemical stabilizers or preservatives. So, the best way to store them is in their original container away from direct sunlight and humidity. It is not recommended to empty the capsules or soft gels from their original container and store them in pill boxes or plastic bags because it could not only cause some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients to lose potency, but may also increase the risk of cross-contamination with other products or environmental pathogens.

Follow these simple guidelines to get the most out of NutriGold supplements —