News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health

Sometimes the stresses, pressures or demands at work, school, or even home can interfere with our good sleep.  Stress manifests on the physical level by an outpouring of the adrenal gland hormones such as cortisol.  The adrenal glands are two small triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney.  During times when these stress hormones are increased, they can deplete our calcium levels — a mineral known to help with relaxation and sleep.

Cortisol has a stimulating effect and can promote wakefulness at the very time when one is trying to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night. Scientists have recently discovered that increased blood levels of cortisol exist in people with chronic insomnia.

In one recent study, investigators monitored the sleep of eleven patients with insomnia and thirteen people without sleep disorders (1).  Blood was collected every thirty minutes for twenty-four hours, and levels of adrenal stress hormones were monitored.  They found that the level of adrenal hormones were significantly higher in the people with insomnia as opposed to the other group.  The insomniacs with the highest degree of sleep disturbances produced the highest amounts of cortisol, particularly in the nighttime hours.

From a nutritional perspective, the mineral calcium has long been known as a natural aid to relaxation and sleep and is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. The study concluded that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.

Research has uncovered that in the presence of elevated cortisol levels, the amount of calcium is rapidly reduced in the body (3).  Studies have shown that calcium declines for as long as the cells are exposed to cortisol, but promptly return to its normal level once the stress hormone is removed.  In light of recent discoveries about the relationship between stress hormones and calcium depletion, it’s likely that nighttime calcium levels can be restored and insomnia calmed by supplementing with highly absorbable forms of this mineral.

One sleep remedy that is gaining popularity due to its readily assimilated forms of calcium and magnesium is Sleep Minerals II from http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com. This insomnia remedy contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for relaxing the nerves and muscles.  These minerals are also a remedy restless legs syndrome, bone strength, and menopause insomnia.  The formula is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

L.R.C. of Massachusetts says:  “Due to some very stressful issues in my life, I hadn’t slept much in two and a half months before being prescribed sleeping drugs.  I had become dependent on them and couldn’t sleep without them. I did my research on the Internet and came across Sleep Minerals II. I take these before bed and now I can sleep through the whole night without drugs. And if I do have to get up, I can fall right back asleep. Another benefit is it also helps alleviate my chronic fatigue and aches and pains.”

Other helpful tips to support our health in stressful times include eating nourishing foods such as brightly colored vegetables and fruits, taking food supplements like fish oil capsules and green drink powders, doing some daily exercise, and creating positive communications and relationships with others.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html

References:

1. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism August 2001; 86:3787-3794
2. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, April 2001
3. American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology & Metabolism 286: E626-E633, 2004