To Sleep or Not to Sleep

by Jon Fiume
February 7, 2007

From time to time we are all challenged with bouts of insomnia. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. Insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men. In addition, the average American sleeps 7 hours, instead of the 8 to 10 hours recommended by doctors. The causes are numerous and range from the ever popular culprit, stress, to actual physical disorders as well as the diet.

In the prescribed drug realm there are many approaches to treating insomnia or the sources there of. By viewing TV commercials alone, you could conjure up a popular list of medications many of which can be addicting or offer other unwanted side effects.

From a natural approach, considerations could include supplements from the homeopathic, herbal, mineral, and hormone product categories. Homeopathically, one of the most popular remedies to address insomnia is Hyland's Calms Forte. This is a homeopathic combination formula designed to calm the body. It is also beneficial to assist the body in dealing with stress and or anxiety and therefore can be taken during the day as well.

Herbally, there are many popular supplements used for insomnia. Valerian tops the list and has been used for years in Europe to induce sleep by calming the central nervous system. For best results it is important to seek out a standardized extract form that yields .8% valerenic acids. Valerian teas and other capsulated herbs may not yield the wanted therapeutic effect. Chamomile is also a very popular herbal remedy. Most often it is sipped as a tea to aid in relaxation prior to sleep. In addition, you may find chamomile as part of an herbal combination formula directed at inducing relaxation or sleep.

From a mineral standpoint, magnesium may assist in inducing relaxation by relaxing the muscles. Keep in mind that approximately 80% of us are deficient in magnesium and that magnesium helps the body absorb calcium. Therefore, by taking magnesium, the benefits are numerous.

Hormonally, melatonin sits at the top of the list. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland. It is responsible for the regulation of sleep. However, as we age the amount of melatonin the body produces is decreased. There have been numerous studies regarding the use of melatonin and insomnia. The strongest studies support the use of melatonin and aiding with jet lag. In addition, others support using this supplement in the elderly for general insomnia. For some, it may be worth a try versus other over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

Lastly, do not forget the importance of the obvious... the diet. Caffeine, high amounts of sugar and alcohol can all contribute to a restless sleep. Take the first step prior to consideration of any of the above mentioned products and examine your diet. There may be simple changes that you can make during the day to make your night an enjoyable one. Sweet dreams!

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of your current healthcare program or advice from you healthcare professionals.