Winter 2019 Catalog
Sleep is One Remedy That Improves All Facets of Health
Written by Scientific Director and Pharmacist, Jerry Hickey, Ph.
Get enough sleep! Healthy sleep habits improve learning and memory, help detoxify plaque from the brain that is associated with dementia, reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease, improves your ability to fight off a cold, and is an aid to weight control. However, as you may already know, it’s not so easy to get enough sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of American adults do not get enough sleep.
What you can do.
The good news is that sleep can be improved; try to get to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, turn off the blue screen gadgets before bed (including your TV and cell phone), don’t read in bed, and get enough exercise. In addition, supplements can be a safe and effective asset to your sleep routine.
L-Theanine is a unique amino acid found in the tea plant that has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, promote relaxation without causing drowsiness, and improve mental alertness. A little extra goes a long way! Studies have shown that in higher doses, L-Theanine can safely and effectively induce sleep without causing physical dependence. Using L-Theanine before bed at night can help you fall asleep and experience deeper, better, more refreshing sleep according to a study conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health in Tokyo.†
Melatonin has been proven beyond a doubt to improve sleep. It is a sleep hormone released from the pituitary gland during the hours of darkness. Scientists at MIT’s Clinical Research Center reviewed data on 17 human clinical trails published in peer reviewed journals and came to the resounding conclusion that melatonin has a significant effect on sleep. Melatonin allowed people to fall asleep faster, improved the quality of sleep and increased how long a person slept. Research does show that people require different dosages; some do quite well on 1mg others need 3mg, and others require 6mg or more.†
Finally, Magnesium is related to energy and much of our energy needs are supplied by Magnesium-ATP. However, lacking magnesium also leads to stress. The more you lack magnesium, the greater the symptoms of stress, according to research from the University of Adelaide’s School of Medical Sciences. Magnesium improves stress by affecting stress pathways and by balancing important neurotransmitter messengers such as serotonin. Stress hormones keep you awake; reducing the symptoms of stress, reduces plasma-stress hormone levels which results in improved sleep at night and improved energy in the daytime.†
