Customer Reviews

Melatonin

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Not an "easy" read, but lots of substance and scientific support for all the information. Dr. Reiter is a lead researcher at University of Texas San Antonio and has impeccable credentials for writing on this subject. Valuable information on a valuable topic. Even if you don't read every page, you'll probably find parts related to whatever aspect is of particular interest to you well worth reading. Excellent reference material.

The author, Russel Reiter, PhD, was a pioneer in melatonin research in the 1960s and is still one of the leaders in this field. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the findings from melatonin research up to 1995 and reveals the many potential benefits and uses of melatonin (it seems to be a must for adult cancer patients). Reiter's writing is understandable by the general reader, yet he still maintains scientific depth and precision. This balance is an impressive achievement and, as a fringe benefit, it provides the reader with a good feel for how biomedical research is actually done, what conclusions reasonably can and can't be drawn, etc.

The only downside is that melatonin research has continued since 1995, so Reiter's book may be somewhat out of date, though I haven't yet made a comparison between this book and more recent literature to judge that. The only other recent and reasonably comprehensive book on melatonin I've found is Melatonin: From Molecules to Therapy (2007), but this book is quite large, expensive, and technical, and therefore probably not suitable for most readers.

So, for most readers, I do recommend Reiter's book, but with the caveat that readers interested in particular uses of melatonin should ideally also review relevant and recent papers and consult with their physicians. Also, the abridged audio version of this book is narrated very well, so I recommend it as a good preview and/or review of the print book.

I met the author and wanted a refresher on what I heard him say. His book is right to the point with lots of references if you want to further research in detail. He has written this book in easy layman's terms with practical applications backed by the references in the back of the book.

I did find the book very helpful in understanding the various aspects of melatonin. Its action in he body and how it can be applied for better sleep.

Great book explaining Melatonin from it's beginning to it's need for it in our systems to sleep and built our immune systems. This hormone has so many functions in our bodies and this book is packed with all the information anyone needs to know. I read many books and articles about Melatonin and found that this book was the most informational to use for a paper I wrote in college. Everyone should own a copy and know what Melatonin does for us. I loved the book so much I bought a copy for my parents.

This one sounds almost like a commercial because it is so overwhelmingly positive. Sounds too good to be true. Where are the downsides to melatonin? If this is the whole story, wow!

The audio version was adapted from the 1995 book, so does not include any advances made since then. It is good as far as it goes, and calls for more research. It is clear and understandable, not too technical.

Side one recounts melatonin's history and the discoveries of its various properties: soporific, anti-oxidant, immune-supporting, etc. Side two gets into its use against AIDS, cancer, heart disease, and insomnia. Side three discusses "the body clock," circadian rhythms, jet lag, shift work. Side four discusses light therapy and melatonin supplementation.

Recommended, but supplement with later findings.

This is a great book. Here you get it out of the "horse's mouth" on melatonin. Dr. Reiter's style of writing is like your Uncle Harvey talking to you. The data is tops and anyone who has any problems sleeping, wants to age "gracefully" or is battling some physical condition, you have to check out this book.