Reader’s Digest—with a global circulation of 10.5 million—surely put its readers’ minds to rest when it asked LIU Pharmacy’s Fernando Gonzalez to shed some light on what sleep supplements he recommends.
Gonzalez, RPhI, is an assistant professor in the pharmaceutical sciences division at the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (LIU Pharmacy) and the director of Pharmacy Practice at LIU Pharmacy.
In a recent article headlined, “14 Vitamin Brands Doctors Trust Most,” Gonzalez told the world’s largest paid circulation magazine, “One of the supplements I recommend is melatonin, a hormone that is naturally produced by the body. It is believed to help with the circadian rhythm cycle, which is your sleep clock. Usually melatonin is stimulated by darkness. As we age, we tend to produce less melatonin.”
To avoid staying up all night worrying about what they’re consuming, he advises customers to do what he does.
“Any vitamin or supplement I buy or purchase must have the USP seal,” Gonzalez said. “I chose Nature Made Melatonin, in the 5 milligram dosage. This is made in a laboratory, not naturally, which I prefer—the natural version is obtained from the pineal gland of various animals and could have other contaminants. Check with your healthcare provider before giving to children or if pregnant or breast feeding.”
Fortunately for students at LIU Pharmacy, when it comes to educating the next generation of pharmacists, having Fernando Gonzalez in the classroom is a dream come true.
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