Archive for August 2014
Magnesium has many benefits to good health, one of them being its action as an effective natural sleep aid. James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients magnesium and calcium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.” Chronic insomnia that occurs with frequent nighttime awakenings is one of the main symptoms of magnesium deficiency. On the other hand, a high magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota.
Mildred Seelig, M.D., the leading medical researcher on magnesium says: “Many people needlessly suffer pain – including fibromyalgia, migraines and muscle cramps – because they don’t get enough magnesium.”
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center web site, inadequate magnesium also appears to reduce serotonin levels in the brain. One study found that magnesium was just as effective as an antidepressant drug in treating depression. In addition, researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute reported that for every 100 milligram increase in magnesium intake, the risk of developing type-2 diabetes decreased by 15 per cent. Other studies have shown that people with migraine headaches have low concentrations of magnesium in their body.
Melatonin supplements are also used as a sleep aid. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain. At night or in the dark, the pineal gland naturally releases melatonin to regulate the sleep cycle. The body produces less melatonin with advancing age. While melatonin doesn’t require a prescription, it is a potent hormone. If too much is taken, it can make it more difficult to wake up and can result in daytime grogginess, dizziness and headaches.
According to the Mayo Clinic, other side effects of melatonin include abdominal discomfort, anxiety, irritability, confusion and short-term depression. Melatonin supplements can interact with various medications, including blood-thinning medications, medications that suppress the immune system, diabetes medications and birth control pills. Melatonin is best used under the supervision of a doctor.
This news is brought to you by http://Nutrition Breakthroughs.com and their natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II. Sleep Minerals II is the original magnesium and calcium based sleep aid and is known for soothing even the worst, long-term insomnia. It helps everyone from teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, to older seniors, to get a good night’s sleep. For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit the Sleep Minerals II page.
New Study Shows Magnesium Effective for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats in Menopause
Posted on: August 16, 2014
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reports that an estimated 6,000 US women reach menopause each day, which translates to over 2 million women every year. The average age of natural menopause, which is the point of a woman’s last menstrual period, is 51. The Women’s Health Initiative study, which followed 16,608 women being given hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause symptoms, discovered a high risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke from the use of these drugs.
As a result, more and more women today are seeking the use of natural remedies for menopause discomforts such as hot flashes, night sweats, migraine headaches, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia.
Mineral supplements such as magnesium and calcium have been found to be natural remedies for hot flashes and night sweats. One recent example is a study from the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Women with at least 14 hot flashes a week, received 400 milligrams of magnesium oxide for 4 weeks, increasing to 800 milligrams per day if needed. At the end of the study, the magnesium supplements had reduced their frequency of hot flashes from 52 to 28 per week, which is a a 414% reduction. Fatigue, sweating, and distress were also significantly reduced.
The 29 participants in the study were breast cancer survivors, thus they were unable to take the usual hot flash medications that have estrogenic activity such as hormone replacement drugs or soy supplements. Many women, breast cancer survivors or not, prefer to take a non estrogen-active natural remedy for hot flashes and night sweats, and the researchers in the study concluded that magnesium appears to safely reduce hot flashes with few side effects and at minimal cost.
Magnesium has also been found to help other health conditions. According to Dr. Michael T. Murray, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, “In addition to helping with hot flashes, correction of low magnesium status may have additional health benefits. Magnesium deficiency is extremely common in Americans, and in addition to the well-known association between low magnesium and increased risk for cardiovascular disease, low magnesium levels have also been linked to an increase in Alzheimer’s disease, decreased muscle performance, insulin-resistance, and osteoporosis.”
One natural sleep aid that is beneficial for hot flashes and night sweats and is increasing in popularity among women in menopause is Sleep Minerals II from http://NutritionBreakthroughs.com. This natural sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength, teenage insomnia and menopause insomnia. The formula also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly and fully assimilated than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Anita L. of New Caney, Texas says: “I was having hot flashes every 30 minutes to an hour through the night and was so miserable. After about two weeks of taking the Sleep Minerals, I noticed an incredible difference with my sleep. I have much less interruption from flashes, I’m sleeping much better and I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Valerie H. of Santa Clarita, California says: “I had such severe menopause insomnia it took me hours to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. My legs also had crawling and tingling feelings at night. I got the Sleep Minerals and after several days, it started to work really well. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”
Natural menopause remedies are a healthier option for women with hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit here.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, arthritis is the number one cause of disability among adults. It is defined as painful inflammation, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints. Arthritis can occur in any joint, but usually it affects the hands, knees, hips, neck or spine. The cartilage covering the surface of joints can wear away. In a study published in the journal “Osteoarthritis Cartilage”, researchers noted that MSM (methyl-sulphonyl-methane) is a popular dietary supplement and they set out to conduct a placebo-controlled trial to find evidence to support its use in osteoarthritis of the knee.
MSM sulfur (methyl-sulphonyl-methane) is a white, odorless, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. Food processing methods such as heating, washing and freezing, all deplete MSM in foods, which makes daily replenishment beneficial. Many people with joint pain may be deficient in MSM. In one study, sulfur concentration in arthritic cartilage was shown to be about one-third the level of normal cartilage.
The recent study published in the journal “Osteoarthritis Cartilage” was done at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. Fifty men and women, 40 to 76 years of age with knee osteoarthritis pain, were enrolled in an outpatient medical center. Part of the group received 3,000 milligrams (3 grams) of MSM per day, twice a day, for 12 weeks – 6 grams per day total. The other part of the group received a placebo.
The results showed that compared to placebo, MSM produced significant decreases in pain and significant improvement in physical function. MSM use also resulted in improvement in performing the activities of daily living. Important improvements in stress and cardiovascular health were also observed. These are good advantages, as there are many side effects from the usual drugs used for arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation’s web site lists the most common side effects of the medications used to treat arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can create edema (swelling of the feet) heartburn, stomach ulcers and possibly increased risk of blood clots and heart attack. Corticosteroids (cortisone) may contribute to cataracts, elevated blood sugar levels and bone loss. Injections at the arthritis site can create redness and swelling and increased risk of infections.
One example of a natural arthritis remedy that contains MSM is Joints and More from NutritionBreakthroughs.com Joints and More is made from “organic” sulfur (meaning coming from living things) and is a 99% pure, simple molecule, indistinguishable from a molecule of MSM found in nature.
Stanley Jacob, M.D. the co-discoverer and ‘Father of MSM’ says: “MSM is a surprising supplement. When you start taking it, you may notice a number of good things happening in your life in addition to pain and allergy relief — more energy, cosmetic benefits such as softer skin, thicker hair, stronger nails; as well as decreased scar tissue and relief of constipation.”
For more information, visit the Joints and More web page
Greetings to you,
I’ve included a chart below with Seven Ways to Supercharge your Immune System. What exactly is the “Immune System”? The body’s immune system protects us against disease, germs, viruses and microorganisms every day of our lives. Some of the parts of the immune system are the tonsils, spleen and bone marrow (where white blood cells are made).
One key immune system component is the lymph system. It includes the lymph nodes, which are oval-shaped organs, distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach, and linked by lymph vessels. The lymph nodes filter lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells that are highly concentrated in the nodes.
Usually the immune system does a great job of protecting us from illness and disease. Sometimes a lack of sleep, exercise, chemicals in foods, toxins in the environment, or prolonged stress weakens it. Regarding white sugar, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that when healthy volunteers consumed a large amount of refined sugar, their immune system’s white blood cells had an impaired ability to destroy bacteria for at least five hours. One healthy alternative is whole raw fruit, which makes great desserts and snacks.
Check out the immunity boosters in the chart below. This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.
To your good health,
Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Greetings to you,
It’s Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. I’ve included a helpful chart below that contains some of the best foods for promoting sleep, as well as some of the worst foods. Some foods can act as a natural sleep aid, while some can make one’s time in bed a struggle with tossing and turning all night.
This news is brought to you by Sleep Minerals II, the original drug-free calcium and magnesium formula for deeper sleep. A new review just came in from Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho who says: “I was plagued with insomnia for 5 years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.
Best of health,
Jobee Knight
www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com
News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health 