Produced by Biotab Nutraceuticals, Alteril is a natural product intended to treat insomnia and improve sleep. Like other herbal and natural dietary supplements, the safety and effectiveness of Alteril is not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Ingredients

The makers of Alteril list L-tryptophan and melatonin as the active ingredients in the supplement. L-tryptophan is an amino acid derived from plants and animals and melatonin is a hormone produced from the amino acid.

Function

Herbalists and natural medical practitioners credit melatonin supplements with helping to regulate sleep patterns. Since your body converts L-tryptophan to melatonin, practitioners also believe that taking the amino acid further increases the amount of the hormone in your body.

Dosage

The makers of Alteril recommend taking one or two tablets one hour before bed to improve sleep.

Expert Insight

The Mayo Clinic reports that melatonin appears to shorten the amount of time it takes for people to fall asleep, but cautions that more research is necessary to ultimately prove its effectiveness.

Risks

Melatonin has the potential to cause side effects like blood clotting abnormalities, seizures and disorientation when taken in excessive amounts or continuously for long periods of time, warns the Mayo Clinic. L-tryptophan supplements pose a slight risk for inflammation of the joints, skin, lungs, heart and liver, which has the potential to be fatal, cautions RxList.

Source:

RxList: L-Tryptophan

Mayo Clinic: Melatonin

Alteril.com: Frequently Asked Questions