Getting some sunshine each day helps regulates your internal clock and aids the production of melatonin. Sunlight makes serotonin which precursor of melatonin. It is reported that serotonin converts into melatonin when it becomes dark.
Eggs and fish are higher melatonin-containing food groups in animal foods, whereas in plant foods, nuts are with the highest content of melatonin. Some kinds of mushrooms, cereals and germinated legumes or seeds are also good dietary sources of melatonin.
Eating foods that contain the essential amino acid known as tryptophan can help the body to produce more serotonin. Foods, including salmon, eggs, spinach, and seeds are among those that help boost serotonin naturally.
Cherries
Cherries (especially sour cherries like the Montmorency variety) are one of the only (and highest) natural food sources of melatonin.
Melatonin secretion decreases during aging. Reduced melatonin levels are also observed in various diseases, such as types of dementia, some mood disorders, severe pain, cancer, and diabetes type 2. Melatonin dysfunction is frequently related to deviations in amplitudes, phasing, and coupling of circadian rhythms.
Darkness prompts the pineal gland to start producing melatonin while light causes that production to stop.
Folate and B6 vitamin are supposed to boost the formation of serotonin from TRP as coenzymes. Zinc and magnesium, instead, are supposed to enhance the formation of melatonin from serotonin by binding to AANAT enzyme, thus activating it and increasing the affinity of serotonin for binding to AANAT (74, 75).
Bananas are an amazingly healthy fruit. Bananas contain melatonin, tryptophan, vitamin B6, and magnesium, which are all great for producing serotonin and helping you sleep. Bananas are another “good” carb that can not only help you sleep, but feel more alert during the day.
Eggs also offer a considerable amount of straight melatonin. These superfoods are one of the highest melatonin-containing animal products. As a melatonin-rich food, eggs can assist with falling asleep and improve your sleep efficiency.
Your melatonin levels can be tested with a blood test, urine test or saliva test. If you are concerned that you may actually be melatonin deficient, ask your doctor about testing. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and sends a signal to regulate the sleep-wake cycle in the sleep center of the brain.
But, although the hormone's plasma levels at nighttime remain at least an order of magnitude higher than at daytime throughout the life span, its absolute concentrations undergo a continuing decline after peaking at ages 2–5 yr (2–4).
Studies have shown that the stimulation of serotonin levels may in turn increase melatonin levels. The presence of a relatively high concentration of serotonin in kiwifruit may contribute to its apparent ability to improve sleep. Kiwi isn't the only potentially sleep-boosting food out there.
Cherries. Cherries and cherry juice contain high levels of melatonin, a hormone in the brain that controls your sleep regulation. One study even shows that drinking tart cherry juice could improve sleep in people who suffer from insomnia.
Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol-lowering medications deplete serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels. Hormone changes cause low levels of serotonin and neurotransmitter imbalances.
Some inherited genetic disorders may affect the body's ability to make or metabolize serotonin. Lifestyle and other factors that may also play a role include: Hormonal shifts, such as due to beginning or stopping hormone replacement therapy, menopause, pregnancy, or advancing age. Lack of sunlight.
Serotonin does not occur in the foods we eat, however it is synthesized from tryptophan, an amino acid. Tryptophan is mostly found in high protein foods, like meat, fish and poultry.