THE EFFECT OF MELATONIN SUPPLEMENTS ON OBESE PATIENTS ON A CALORIE-RESTRICTED DIET
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i9.55804Keywords:
Melatonin, Obesity, Body mass index, Lipid profile, Glycemic controlAbstract
Objective: Obesity is a growing global health concern linked to many disorders, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep disturbances. Recent studies suggest that melatonin, a neurohormone involved in circadian rhythm regulation, may also play a role in weight management and metabolic control. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin supplementation on anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, and glycemic control in obese individuals on a calorie-restricted diet.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 obese adults (50 interventions, 50 controls) aged 18–60 years at teaching hospitals in Babil, Iraq. The intervention group received 10 mg melatonin nightly for 6weeks, while both groups followed a calorie-restricted diet. Anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters were measured pre- and post-intervention.
Results: Melatonin supplementation resulted in significant reductions in weight (4.4%, p=0.003), body mass index (4.5%, p=0.0001), and waist circumference (p=0.0001), alongside notable improvements in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (↓10.3%, p=0.0001), total cholesterol (↓8.2%, p=0.0001), triglycerides (↓11.9%, p=0.0001), and very- LDL (↓12.1%, p=0.0001). Hemoglobin A1C levels improved (6.9%, p=0.0001) whereas serum melatonin increased by (48.3%, p=0.0001). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased slightly (↓4.1%, p=0.005). The control group showed no significant changes.
Conclusion: Melatonin supplementation, when combined with a calorie-restricted diet, significantly improved body composition, lipid profile, and glycemic markers in obese adults. These findings support the potential therapeutic role of melatonin in obesity management, although a slight reduction in HDL warrants further investigation.
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