This pea-size structure at the center of the brain is known as the body's clock. The pineal gland pumps out about 100 picograms per milliliter at night and goes to levels nine-tenths lower during the day. That's why melatonin has been nicknamed the night hormone. But, as the human body ages, the pineal gland calcifies and melatonin decreases. Directly and indirectly melatonin is said to exert a powerful anti-oxidant effect which is metabolized in all body tissue.
Some reports say that melatonin is the most powerful anti-oxidant of all.
America is the only country where melatonin can be sold over the counter. For its part, the FDA in America has shown little interest in controlling melatonin. With this view, the aging process can be seen to be a progressive inability of this organ to cope with environmental changes. Tissue calcification is strongly connected with the aging process. Calcification of the pineal gland begins before puberty, is well established in early adulthood, and is so advanced in middle age that it is used as a reference location in x-rays and CAT scans.