IN THIS ARTICLE
- Sleep
- Help Getting to Sleep
- Sleep as Part of a Hormonal Symphony
- Unclog Lymph System for Better Sleep
- Eating Food Before Sleep
- Maximize Your Fat Burning During Sleep
- Reduce Snoring: Fat May be the Problem
- Immunity & Sleep
- Pleasure, Arousal, Stress, & Food Does Sleep Have a Chance?
- Sleep & Excessive Substance P
Help Getting to Sleep
Your sleep department resides towards the front (anterior hypothalamus) and is composed of nerve cells that rely on GABA and glycine in order to function properly. Both your sleeping and waking departments have numerous nerve projections to other departments of your hypothalamus gland, the goal being to orchestrate correct sleeping-waking behavior for survival.
When your sleep pattern is normal then your sleep department gets a cue from your hormonal orchestra that it is bedtime, in turn activating GABAergic and glycinergic neurons which tell the wakefulness department to take a break. In the morning, your hormonal orchestra turns on light switches in the wakefulness department, and a message is then sent over to the sleep department to take a break.
The most basic problem individuals have getting to sleep is too much arousal in various parts of the wakefulness system compared to the relaxing influences of the sleep department. In many cases simply thinking about the stressors of the day or challenges of tomorrow will keep your wakefulness department revved up. Even being excited about the next day can do this. And of course, the more intense the stress the higher the chance for a problem with sleep, especially if there is stress right before bed.
Anything you do to manage stress better, solve problems, and implement solutions will help keep your wakefulness department not feeling so edgy. Building up relaxed reserves assists your sleep department to have better fitness (relaxing exercise, meditation/prayer, having fun, vacations, strategies to wind down your day, etc.).
A variety of nutrients can directly help your sleep department, meaning that they enhance GABA and glycine nerve transmission. Sleep Helper™ boosts GABA, whereas RelaxaMag™ boosts glycine. Adequate magnesium, and to a lesser extent calcium, are vital for the wakefulness system to cool off. For example, magnesium and glycine are the natural brakes residing within your brain stem. The most basic nutritional strategy to assist sleep is to boost the supply of nutrients that support relaxing neurotransmitters while helping the wakefulness centers to rest properly.*
Sleep Helper®
Reduced price!Sleep Helper® boosts your supply of GABA as well as enhancing the function of how GABA system works to relax your brain. The theanine in Sleep Helper® has been shown to produce relaxing alpha brain waves within 40 minutes. It may be taken during the day to settle nerves, offset stress, and improve attention span. It may be taken at bedtime to help you relax, supporting the well-documented role of GABA-related nerve transmission to help you sleep. Take 1-2 at bedtime, use during the day as needed.*
RelaxaMag™
Contains the relaxing mineral magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine. Glycine behaves as a relaxing neurotransmitter in your brain, an important nutrient that can help you relax and sleep better. Especially helpful for getting to sleep or relaxing the mind. Take 1-3 at bedtime, use during the day as needed. Works synergistically with Sleep Helper®.*
Daily Builder™
Reduced price!Daily Builder™ contains the relaxing magnesium glycinate along with many other nutrients that support natural repair of your body. In mild cases of occasional sleep troubles it may have enough relaxing nutrients while at the same time helping to reduce mild aches and pains. It is a good choice for people who exercise a lot, and may be combined with Sleep Helper and/or RelaxaMag™ as desired.*
Tri-Cal
Reduced price!Contains calcium bound to the amino acid taurine (taurine is also in Sleep Helper). Taurine helps GABA receptors work better. Because each capsule has 150 mg of calcium this a great way to boost calcium intake and may also work quite well for sleep (may be used with any other sleep product as desired). We find this product is also quite helpful for boys who tend to struggle with behavior (and can also be taken during the day).* 1-3 at bed, use as needed during the day.
Coral Calcium
Reduced price!1/4 to 1/2 tsp. mixed in water provides almost instant relaxation as this type of high quality mineral forms ions in water which rapidly interact with nerves, helping to relax and promote restful sleep. A great product for children and another good way to boost calcium intake.*
