Melatonin

[JBenci]

I believe Melatonin has been removed from the South African market. I don't understand why. What are the reasons and what steps can I do take to lobby this?

 

[Bar0n]

Here's some info on it: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...Schedule-4?p=12378700&viewfull=1#post12378700

 

[noxibox]

Nothing much you can do. The MCC operates in secret, so you can't find out the reasons. There's no point objecting because they have no interest in facts or common sense.

 

[Bar0n]

Nothing much you can do. The MCC operates in secret, so you can't find out the reasons. There's no point objecting because they have no interest in facts or common sense.

Elaborate?

 

[envo]

Elaborate?

Its when someone (or company or government institution) don't weigh the facts and common sense in a decision, and do whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of if it's good for the people or not

 

[Pooky]

Sounds like greedy people being greedy.

 

[BlackJack1301]

I still got some last week, just have to ask at the self medication.

 

[Bar0n]

Its when someone (or company or government institution) don't weigh the facts and common sense in a decision, and do whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of if it's good for the people or not

You're basically accusing the MCC of pulling melatonin from the shelves because they felt like it? Sounds like a great explanation.

Children: Melatonin should not be used in most children. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Because of its effects on other hormones, melatonin might interfere with development during adolescence.

High blood pressure: Melatonin can raise blood pressure in people who are taking certain medications to control blood pressure. Avoid using it.

Diabetes: Melatonin might increase blood sugar in people with diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar carefully, if you have diabetes and take melatonin.

Depression: Melatonin can make symptoms of depression worse.

Seizure disorders: Using melatonin might increase the risk of having a seizure.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-suppl...gredientid=940&activeingredientname=melatonin

Main Conclusions.
• Evidence suggests that melatonin is not effective in treating most primary sleep disorders
with short-term use, although there is some evidence to suggest that melatonin is
effective in treating delayed sleep phase syndrome with short-term use.
• Evidence suggests that melatonin is not effective in treating most secondary sleep
disorders with short-term use.
• No evidence suggests that melatonin is effective in alleviating the sleep disturbance
aspect of jet lag and shift-work disorder.
• Evidence suggests that melatonin is safe with short-term use.

http://archive.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/melatonin/melatonin.pdf

So you're happy taking a hormonal supplement which has not been tested for chronic use, and seems to have either little or no benefit either way? European authorities have also restricted melatonin to people with a prescription. I would not be surprised if it was recently removed from European shelves either, since the MCC mostly subscribes to EMEA guidelines.

I googled a bit, and it seems it's available in very limited quantities in the EU:
http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=8361.0
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Reg...imum-melatonin-levels-from-5mg-per-day-to-1mg

So the MCC aren't just being arseholes for the sake of it, EU authorities also have concerns about melatonin.