Each of us has our own source of stresses in our lives. Whether we take these home from the workday or they exist in the home itself, sometimes the pressures can interfere with our sleep. Stress manifests on the physical level by an outpouring of the adrenal hormone cortisol. Scientists have recently discovered that increased blood levels of cortisol exist in people with chronic insomnia. Some individuals may be suffering from a sustained activation of the body’s system for responding to stress. Related research has also uncovered that in the presence of elevated cortisol, the level of calcium is rapidly reduced in the body – a mineral that’s known to assist with relaxation and sleep.
In a study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (1), investigators monitored the sleep of eleven patients with insomnia and thirteen people without any sleep disorder. Blood was collected every thirty minutes for twenty-four hours, and levels of the adrenal stress hormones were monitored. The researches found that the average levels of adrenal hormones measured were significantly higher in the insomniacs than in the control group. The insomniacs with the highest degree of sleep disturbances secreted the highest amount of cortisol, particularly in the evening and nighttime hours.
Another aspect of this is that it appears people become more sensitive to the stimulating effects of cortisol as they age. Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine (2) found that when both young and middle-aged men were administered a version of cortisol, the middle-aged men remained awake longer and slept less deeply. This finding applies to aging women as well, who tend to experience insomnia and sleeplessness as part of their premenopause and menopause symptoms.
From a nutritional perspective, the mineral calcium has long been known as a natural sleep remedy which aids relaxation and sleep. It is interesting to note that cortisol has been shown to rapidly reduce calcium in the body (3). Studies have shown that calcium levels are reduced for as long as the cells are exposed to cortisol, but promptly return to their normal level once the stress hormone is removed.
In light of recent discoveries about the relationship between stress hormones, insomnia, and calcium depletion, it’s likely that nighttime calcium levels can be restored and insomnia calmed by supplementing with highly absorbable forms of the mineral.
One sleep remedy that is gaining popularity due to its rapidly absorbed forms of calcium and magnesium is Sleep Minerals II from http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com. The product contains six different types of calcium, three types of magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, boron and horse tail herb. The ingredients are formulated with carrier oils such as evening primrose — an oil that has been shown to increase mineral absorption, reduce calcium excretion, and increase bone density.
Ali M. of Istanbul Turkey says, “I have been a pharmacist in Turkey for almost 40 years, and I also work as a consultant in food supplements. I suffer from restless leg syndrome at night. I recently tried Sleep Minerals II and it had an astonishing beneficial result. My youngest brother, who is also a pharmacist, suffers too from restless leg syndrome. He tried the Sleep Minerals II with the same benefits. My mother aged 92 was complaining of sleep problems and insomnia. She also tried it and the result was again amazing.”
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
2. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, April 2001
3. American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology & Metabolism 286: E626-E633, 2004
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