Natural Cures Not Medicine: melatonin

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Showing posts with label melatonin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label melatonin. Show all posts

How to Eat for Better Sleep


When you’re tossing and turning at night, dreaming about the possibility of real sleep, probably the last thing to cross your mind is what you could eat to help bring deep slumber that much closer. However, studies continually suggest that not only does a regularly healthy diet help promote better biochemical balance – hence, better rest and relaxation, but certain foods are even responsible for helping beat insomnia.
Nourish your regenerative time with the following tasty suggestions and catch up on your valuable Zzz’s.


1. Sleepy-time Snacks
While eating close to bedtime is not optimal, if you’re hungry in the evening, a small snack can be calming. For restful sleep, the best snacks contain both carbohydrate and the amino acid tryptophan, a natural sleep inducer. According to the Sleep Disorders Center at the Cleveland Clinic, foods rich in tryptophan include: dairy products, soy milk, legumes – such as chickpeas and lentils, and nuts and seeds. Because carbohydrates make tryptophan more available to the brain, this explains why carbs can make you drowsy. Natural peanut butter with whole grain crackers, low-fat cheese with apple slices, or a small bowl of whole grain cereal with soy milk are some examples to utilize these options.
2. Caffeine-free Afternoons
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that increases central nervous system activity for hours, so avoiding all sources of caffeine six to eight hours before bed is recommended. This can make a world of difference if you constantly battle insomnia.
While coffee is loaded with 100- 150 milligrams of caffeine, chocolate (12 – 25 mg) and energy drinks (60 – 140 mg) are other sugary, caffeinated substances to also avoid.

Instead, relax and indulge in caffeine-free herbal teas, warm almond milk with raw honey and cinnamon, or your favorite fruit juice with club soda to inspire refreshment but stimulate better sleep.

3. Hormone Producers
Melatonin is the hormone secreted by the body that regulates sleep patterns, therefore if you’re having an difficult time getting rest, there are natural ways to obtain more of this hormone. Researchers have reported that tart cherries, grapes, and walnuts are rich food sources of melatonin.
If that still doesn’t do the trick, consult with your Naturopathic physician about possibly consuming a natural melatonin supplement that best suits you.
4. Mellowing Minerals
According to studies, even a marginal magnesium deficiency can excite the brain, preventing relaxation at night. Good sources of anxiety fighting magnesium include: leafy green vegetables, wheat germ, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, black beans, and almonds.
By adopting a healthier, un-processed diet, it is estimated you will naturally experience better sleep. However there are plenty of fresh, delicious foods you can also include that will help boost your health while assisting you in obtaining nourishing rest.
By: Amanda Froelich, True Activist, Guest
Sources:
Source: trueactivist

How to beat jet lag.


If you travel for work or just have a lot of family living abroad, you may be familiar with dreadful jet lag.  Fear not, for there are some steps you can take to lessen the effects jet lag.
File:Far Eastern Air Transport Airliner.JPG
The condition known as jet lag is caused when you travel across several time zones.  The human body runs on a schedule or what is referred to as an "internal clock," maintained based on the pattern of sunlight, night, and day.  Jet lag tends to be worse when you cross 4 or more time zones and has a variety of symptoms including difficulty concentrating, daytime fatigue, sleep problems, and muscle soreness.
Chances are if you are traveling far you may not want to waste time when you reach your destination trying to cope with the time change and the effects of jet lag, especially if you are traveling for business purposes.  Here are a few ways you can minimize the effects and maybe sidestep jet lag altogether!

Melatonin:  When your body can detect that the day is coming to an end and the night is here, it produces melatonin which helps you fall asleep at the right time.  You can take melatonin supplements to help outsmart your internal clock and reset it once you are at your destination.  Be careful when you head to the U.K. because you must have a perscription for it.

Sunlight:  Sun exposure in reasonable doses is good for you but it can also help with adjusting your internal clock to a new schedule.  When you reach your destination, be outside during prime sunny hours and get some good exposure  to orient your body to the new day/night schedule.  If you are too restless at a late hour, turn the lights down low and close your curtains to get rested and sleepy.  Use an eye mask if needed.

Diet:  Jet lag is caused by a shift in time zones that throws off the body's internal clock due to a difference in daylight and night time hours, but the effects of jet lag can be made worse by dehydration and or toxicity.  Make sure you drink plenty of water and eat healthy leading up to and after your trip and try to avoid processed sugar, alcohol, and caffeine as they create toxicity in the body and tend to dehydrate.  Be sure to detox before you leave for the airport.



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Before trying anything you find on the internet you should fully investigate your options and get further advice from professionals.

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