Three key findings about melatonin’s role in muscle health deserve attention. First, melatonin is naturally synthesized within mitochondria and accumulates in muscle tissue, positioning it as an endogenous protective agent. Second, the hormone activates SIRT1 and PGC-1α signalling pathways—critical mechanisms driving mitochondrial biogenesis and renewal, essential processes for maintaining muscle strength with age. Third, while animal research demonstrates clear promise in preventing sarcopenia, human clinical trials have not yet validated these mechanisms or established safe, effective supplementation protocols. The practical implication: patients should avoid premature supplementation decisions based on emerging evidence alone. Instead, they should await results from well-designed human studies that will clarify whether melatonin supplementation can meaningfully address age-related muscle loss in real-world clinical settings.
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