Exercise such as walking may be one of the most effective ways to reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and heart symptoms.
From the April 2007 issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine comes a study from Steriani Elavsky, a kinesiologist. Kinesiology is the study of human movement and motion.
The study included 164 menopausal women in their 50’s who were experiencing hot flashes and insomnia and who were somewhat non-active. They were put into three different groups – walkers, yoga-doers and sedentary non-exercisers, and were studied for four months.
The groups that reported their stress and tension were reduced, as well as having a betterment in their quality of life, were the women who walked regularly or took yoga classes. Women who walked derived the most benefit in terms of improvement with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, but yoga was also beneficial.
Elavsky concluded: “We found a significant association between changes in cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) fitness and changes in menopausal symptoms. Women who experienced decreases in menopausal symptoms in the study also experienced improvements in all positive mental health and quality-of-life outcomes.”
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This information is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II. Sleep Minerals II contains highly absorbable forms of the best minerals for relaxation — calcium and magnesium. The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form with carrier oils, making them more easily assimilated than capsules or tablets and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Valerie H. of Santa Clarita, California says: “I had such severe menopause insomnia that it took me hours to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. My legs also had crawling and tingling feelings at night. I got the Sleep Minerals II and after about a week, it started to work really well. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”
This is Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. I would like every customer of Sleep Minerals II to get the full benefits of the product and enjoy the restful, deep sleep they desire. Here are some tips and advice I’ve put together over the years, from learning how to coach people to use the product successfully.
1) Some of my customers have asked me with amazement: “What is in this product? Is it really all-natural?” I want you to know that even though the product is effective in helping people get to sleep or get back to sleep in the night, it is made from only natural minerals and vitamins — it’s just a potent formula.
Sleep Minerals II is a safe product. The factory that makes Sleep Minerals II has been certified as having Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) from the Natural Products Association, and is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
2) Keep the bottle of softgels by your bed, along with a glass or bottle of water.
3) For difficulty falling asleep, take 1 to 2 softgels with water. To ensure a sound sleep, take the softgel 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. If you’re sensitive to supplements at all, start with 1. Even if you decide to take more during the night, it’s important to take at least one at the beginning of the night before bedtime, to get the night started out in a good direction.
4) If you wake up during the night and are unable go back to sleep, take an additional half a softgel with water. To do this, bite one end open and squeeze half out with your teeth. Drink it down with water or spread it on a cracker or other piece of food. Save the remainder in a baggie or other container.
5) If you feel drowsy in the morning, take the product further away from the morning-time. For example, if you take it at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. to go back to sleep, try to take it earlier in the night next time so it’s in your system for a longer period prior to the morning.
6) If you are only taking the product before bedtime and have a drowsy feeling in the morning, take it earlier than at bedtime. For example, take it with dinner or an hour or two before bedtime with a snack, rather than 30 minutes before bedtime.
If you get indigestion or gas or your bowels become too loose after taking the product and you are only taking one softgel at a time, take it with some food or a meal to minimize this effect. If you’re taking more than one, reduce the number of softgels you take. You can also take half a softgel, as described above. The important thing is to get a dose that works for you. When changing the amount you take, keep that amount steady for several days to learn if this is the right dose.
7) If you experience an “energetic” effect from the Sleep Minerals, this may be due to a deficiency of calcium or magnesium and is a sign that your body is drinking up the minerals that it is missing. If this occurs, take the product earlier in the day rather than at bedtime. This will still assist your better sleep as you will be getting the minerals into your system earlier and it will help overall relaxation. You can also reduce your dose.
8) It may take days or weeks of consecutive use to see the best results and the longer you use the product, the better the effects will be. After a span of time, you may need to take less of the Sleep Minerals to get the same effect, as you will have provided more minerals to your body.
9) If you prefer not to swallow the softgels, here are a couple of options for you. Bite one end open and press the contents onto a cracker or on top of peanut butter, etc. and eat it. Follow with some water. Another option is to squeeze the contents into your mouth and drink it down with some water. It’s like a creamy paste inside with mixed minerals and a bit of oil, and the flavor is mild. This paste is the essence of what makes the minerals very absorbable.
10) If you are taking any medications in the evening, its best to take them an hour apart from the Sleep Minerals – either an hour before or an hour after. This is because each thing may have a different effect and its best to keep them separate.
11) Another thing that will help you sleep is taking a walk outside each day or in the evening. Look around at things and enjoy the view. This will help your body relax better at night.
12) In addition to insomnia, Sleep Minerals II also provides excellent nutritional support for bone health, osteoporosis, tense muscles, menopausal symptoms, restless leg syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, colon health and heart health.
I look forward to staying in touch with you and to hearing any questions, comments, or beneficial improvements to your sleep. To order or re-order Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.
Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of a yellow wildflower that grows throughout the United States.
In a study from the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, researchers tested the effect of evening primrose oil on 56 menopausal women aged 45 to 59 with hot flashes.
The women were given two capsules per day of evening primrose oil (500 mg per capsule) for a continuous 6 weeks. The results showed there was a 42% improvement in the severity of hot flashes, as well as beneficial improvements in their life activities.
Mineral supplements such as magnesium and calcium are also of good benefit to menopausal women with hot flashes and night sweats. One example is a 2011 study from the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Women with at least 14 hot flashes a week received 400 milligrams of magnesium oxide for 4 weeks, increasing to 800 mg. per day if needed. At the end of the study, the magnesium supplements had reduced their frequency of hot flashes from 52 to 28 per week, a 41.4% reduction. Fatigue, sweating, and distress were also significantly reduced.
One insomnia remedy that also helps with hot flashes and night sweats and is increasing in popularity among women in menopause is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This natural sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength, and menopause insomnia.
Anita L. of New Caney, Texas says: “I was having hot flashes every 30 minutes to an hour through the night and was so miserable. After about two weeks of taking the Sleep Minerals, I noticed an incredible difference with my sleep. I have much less interruption from flashes, I’m sleeping much better, and I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Valerie H. of Santa Clarita, California says: “I had such severe menopause insomnia it took me hours to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. My legs also had crawling and tingling feelings at night. I got the Sleep Minerals and after several days, it started to work really well. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”
Natural menopause remedies are a healthier option for women with hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.
Study Confirms Link Between Insomnia and Hot Flashes
A team of researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine in California recently conducted a study to help determine the causes of insomnia among premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
The team conducted phone interviews with 982 women and gathered information about their sleep history, hot flashes and overall health.
They found that 51% of postmenopausal women experienced hot flashes and 79% of premenopausal women had them. Among the women with the most severe hot flashes (based on their intensity and frequency), 81% of them experienced sleeplessness and insomnia.
The lead researcher said: “In this paper, we have observed without any doubt and in a significant way that hot flashes are associated with insomnia. This is the first observational study showing the link between insomnia and hot flashes while controlling for other factors that could account for insomnia in women.”
Comment from the Blog Author Nutrition Breakthroughs:
The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis discusses the many roles of calcium in women’s health in her book “Let’s Get Well” and says: “During the menopause, the lack of the ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) causes severe calcium deficiency symptoms to occur.”
“At these times, high amounts of calcium should be obtained and every step be taken to insure its absorption into the blood. When these precautions are taken and the diet is adequate in other respects, the woman at menopause usually loses her irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, leg cramps, insomnia, and mental depression.”
One natural insomnia remedy gaining popularity with women and people of all ages is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs in Glendale California. Sleep Minerals II contains powerful forms of the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep — calcium and magnesium, combined with vitamin D.
The ingredients are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules, and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Anita L. of New Caney, Texas says: “I was having hot flashes every 30 minutes to an hour through the night and was so miserable. After about two weeks of taking the Sleep Minerals, I noticed an incredible difference with my sleep. I have much less interruption from flashes, I’m sleeping much better and I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Valerie H. in Santa Clarita, CA says: “I had such severe menopause insomnia, it took me hours to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. I also had crawling and tingling feelings in my legs at night. I got the Sleep Minerals II and after a week of taking it, it started to work really well. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”
These tips are for those of us who have sweated in our sheets on hot summer nights, unable to sleep.
In an ideal world, we would all have multiple air conditioners throughout our homes or central air conditioning to keep us cool.
In the actual world, not everyone has these, or even if they do, they may be looking for other helpful options in the case of being away from home or traveling to hot climates.
One question to ask would be whether or not any research studies have been done on the effects of body temperature on sleep. Yes, in fact there have.
Researchers from the Cornel Medical Center in New York did a study showing that a cooler body temperature does indeed help sleep. They identified the time at which the participant’s body temperature fell most sharply. This point almost always occurred in the two hours before sleep began.
So without further adieu, here are the creative tips for staying cool at night and sleeping well.
Tip #1 – People with trouble falling asleep might benefit from taking warm or hot baths about 90 minutes before bedtime, per the New York research study noted above. When they get out of the bath, their body temperature will drop rapidly, and this should help them to fall asleep faster. Another option for those with less time is to take a cool shower before bed.
Tip #2 – Stick to loose clothing of cotton, linen or rayon and avoid synthetic fabrics and wool. Check into ‘Wicking Nightwear.’ These nightclothes are designed to whisk away sweat and moisture and keep you dry and comfortable while you sleep. Cotton sheets are best, rather than silk or other fabrics, as they stay cooler.
Tip #3 – Keep a thermos of ice water next to the bed and drink as needed. The ice water can also be poured onto a washcloth and used on the forehead, legs, feet or other areas. Another option is to put a hot water bottle in the freezer and use it as needed to stay cool. Feet can set the pace for the rest of the body, so this may be a good place to put a cool washcloth.
Tip #4 – Try a ‘Chillow’ pillow insert. The Chillow is filled with water and placed inside the pillowcase, on top of the pillow. It absorbs and dissipates heat to keep you cooler and doesn’t require refrigeration. It is comfortably cool, rather than cold and it always stays dry.
Tip #5 – Use some smart strategies for box fans and other fans. Point a fan facing out the window so it will push the hot air outside, leaving cooler air in the room. A do it yourself air conditioner can be made by putting a shallow pan of ice in front of a fan. A cooling breeze will be created from the cold water as the ice melts.
Tip #6 – Put a blow-up air bed on the ground with some sheets and blankets and sleep on it. This puts you closer to the floor where the air is cooler, as hot air rises. If your bedroom is on a second floor, go the first floor to sleep.
Tip #7 – Keep the oven off and eat light meals that are cooling to the body such as fruit and vegetable salads, pasta salads, cold rice and veggies, or rice cakes with a slice of cheese, etc. Delicious cold soups can be eaten such as split pea or lentil.
Tip #8 – Calcium is known to cool, soothe and relax the nervous system according to Chinese medicine. In their system, a food’s temperature refers to the heating or cooling effect it has on the body once it has been ingested – rather than the temperature of the food when it is eaten.
For a cooling effect on the body during the night, take a well-absorbed form of calcium and magnesium before bed such as Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This natural sleep remedy contains unique forms of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and zinc. It is formulated in a softgel with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Hot flashes and night sweats can be brought on by hot weather, as well as other causes such as hormonal changes, spicy foods or alcohol. Anita L. of New Caney, Texas says: “I was having hot flashes every 30 minutes to an hour through the night and was so miserable. After about two weeks of taking the Sleep Minerals II, I noticed an incredible difference with my sleep. I have much less interruption from hot flashes, I‘m sleeping much better and I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Some other healthy advice would be to eat more of the calcium rich foods like cheese, almonds, spinach, parsley, beans, kale and broccoli.
In summary, make use of these tips to stay cool on hot summer nights, and you can also come up with some other similar ones of your own. You’ll be happier the next day that you did!
Those of us who have experienced insomnia know what its like to toss and turn through the night trying to get some good sleep.
And then the next day can be filled with brain fog, irritability, exhaustion and just not quite feeling like one’s usual self.
Some will turn to sleeping drugs, only to find the effects wearing off over time and the side effects strong.
On the other hand, nutrition can be one of the most essential supports and defenses in winning the battle to achieve calmer, deeper, longer sleep. There are some vitamins and nutrients in particular that have been shown in research studies to soothe a person’s frequent awakenings and improve overall sleep.
B vitamins can come in very handy for those experiencing insomnia or restless leg syndrome (also known as RLS). Those who have restless leg syndrome undergo unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling or painful. They often suffer with chronic insomnia and sleeplessness due to the strong urge to walk or do other activities to relieve sensations in their legs at night.
One study from the journal “Sleep Medicine” published the results of 28 elderly patients who had severe RLS with night time leg cramps that disturbed their sleep.
They were given B complex capsules containing B-1, B-2, B-6 and B-12. The study authors observed that after 3 months, 86% of the patients taking vitamin B supplements had prominent remission of leg cramps, whereas those taking the placebo had no significant difference.
In this study, treatment with vitamin B complex significantly reduced the frequency, intensity, and duration of night time leg cramps. Because vitamin B complex is a relatively safe and effective alternative to quinine, the main drug used for RLS, they feel that doctors should reconsider using drugs and change the usual treatment of choice for night time leg cramps.
One’s overall brain health is closely related to healthy sleep. From the same study in “Sleep Medicine”, the authors noted that thiamine or vitamin B-1 deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, intestinal symptoms, memory loss and disturbed sleep. They also point out that Parkinson’s disease sufferers generally have low levels of niacin or vitamin B-3, a deficiency of which can also cause insomnia and sleeplessness.
Another point from the article is that vitamin B-6 is a necessary co-factor in the creation of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. The importance of this is that brain chemicals such as serotonin and melatonin are made out of the amino acids tryptophan. Serotonin and melatonin have key roles in supporting good sleep and cannot be produced without enough B-6. Even a mild deficiency of B-6 results in inhibited activity of these brain nutrients and may create insomnia.
Magnesium and calcium are long-time proven sleep remedies. A study on magnesium from the University of Medical Sciences in Iran was done with 46 adults who were experiencing insomnia.
Two magnesium tablets twice a day (250 mg. each) resulted in significant increases in sleep time and reduced cortisol levels in the body, which is a stress hormone that can keep people awake.
Calcium is known to soothe sleeplessness and remedy insomnia. In a report called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium”, the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with a calcium deficiency often causes difficulty with falling asleep. This same study says that: “Muscle cramps associated with calcium deficiency often occur at night and without exertion. Such cramps usually involve the calves and thighs, but not the hands or feet.”
Jobee Knight, a nutritional researcher and founder of Nutrition Breakthroughs in Clearwater, Florida, is someone who fought her own battle against sleeplessness and insomnia. She decided to put her background to use by searching out effective natural ingredients for relaxation and deeper sleep.
The result was Sleep Minerals II, a natural sleep aid which contains highly absorbable forms of the best minerals for sleep and relaxation: Calcium and magnesium, along with Vitamin D and zinc.
The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form along with healthy carrier oils, making them more easily assimilated than capsules or tablets and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep. These minerals are also proven to help with restless leg syndrome, bone and muscle strength, teenage insomnia and menopause insomnia.
Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”
In summary, make good use of natural vitamins and minerals as the first line of defense in the war against sleeplessness and insomnia.
Walnuts are perhaps the most famous tree nut of all and have been named the “Healthiest of All Nuts”. They are rich in plant-based fats and are a good source of the B-vitamins and many minerals.
Even though walnuts are one of the easiest foods to eat, they are also a powerful weapon against chronic diseases. Walnuts can be eaten by the handful as a snack, or in salads, soups, vegetable dishes, baked goods or smoothies.
Due to their uniquely high amounts of healthy fats and potent plant chemicals, recent studies are publishing evidence that walnuts can reduce brain stress, lower cholesterol, increase fertility in men, reduce inflammation, lower the risk of diabetes, strengthen the immune system, and help with insomnia because of the natural melatonin they contain.
Supporting the claim that walnuts are the healthiest nut is a recent study from the journal “Food and Function”. The researchers evaluated nine types of raw and roasted nuts and they found walnuts to contain the highest levels and quality of antioxidants.
An “antioxidant” is a substance in foods or vitamins that neutralizes the harmful effects of oxygen in the body. These “oxidative” effects contribute to aging and disease and can be caused by an unhealthful diet, air pollution, smoking, and also the normal processes of digestion and metabolism. Eating just seven walnut halves per day can be enough to obtain its many health advantages.
English walnuts offer powerful benefits to brain health. A study called “Role of Walnuts in Maintaining Brain Health with Age” was published in the Journal of Nutrition. The researchers wrote that walnuts not only reduce the inflammatory load on brain cells, but they also improve communication and connection between the brain cells themselves – helping to maintain good brain health with increasing age.
For a healthy heart and long life, walnut health benefits have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and also extend life spans in general. Walnuts contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers protective benefits for the heart. A quarter cup of walnuts contains about 1,130 milligrams of l-arginine. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reviewed 13 heart studies and found that the people eating walnuts benefited from a significant decrease in overall cholesterol and had major benefits in the quantity of antioxidants available to them.
Walnuts can be a good sleep inducing food. Eating a handful of walnuts before bedtime may be a good way to soothe sleeplessness and insomnia. Russel Reiter, Ph.D., a professor of cellular biology at the University of Texas says, “Relatively few foods have been examined for their melatonin content. Our studies demonstrate that walnuts contain melatonin, that it is absorbed when it is eaten, and that it improves our ability to resist oxidative stress caused by toxic molecules. Walnuts also contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to inhibit certain types of cancer and to keep the heart healthy.”
Walnuts also contain 126 milligrams of magnesium per cup, which is 31% of the recommended daily intake. Regarding the use of minerals for insomnia, a study called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium” reports that the classical sign of magnesium deficiency is falling asleep somewhat easily, but awakening frequently throughout the night, with individuals finding themselves tired even after several hours of sleep.
This natural health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, with highly absorbable forms of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in a softgel.
Regarding the use of Sleep Minerals II, Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
Sleep-inducing foods such as walnuts, tart cherry juice, and bananas are good things to include in one’s diet, as well as relaxing and effective forms of calcium and magnesium.
A healthy bacteria similar to the acidophilus used in yogurt has been found in a Canadian study to help overweight women to lose weight and keep it off.
Known as “probiotics”, these healthy bacteria in the intestine are “pro” or beneficial to the health of the body.
They stimulate the immune system to be stronger, keep the stomach and bowels healthy, and help urinary health.
In addition, an earlier Stanford University study found that obese people have different gut bacteria than normal-weighted people — a first indication that gut bacteria can play a role in overall weight.
The Stanford University research has now spurred a new study, done by a team of researchers at the University of Laval in Quebec Canada. Headed by Professor Angelo Tremblay, the researchers sought to confirm the premise that consuming probiotics could help reset the balance of intestinal flora in favor of those that promote a healthy weight.
It may be that a diet high in fat and low in fiber leads to certain bacteria flourishing at the expense of others. They recruited 125 overweight people to test this theory.
During the first 12-week period of the Canadian study, the subjects underwent a weight-loss diet. This was followed by a 12-week period aimed at maintaining their body weight. Throughout the entire 24 weeks, half of the subjects took two pills daily containing probiotics, while the other half received placebos.
After the 12-week dieting period, there was an average weight loss of 8.8 pounds in the women in the probiotics group and 5.7 pounds for women in the placebo group.
The interesting difference is that at the end of the 12-week maintenance period, the weight of the women in the placebo group stayed the same, but the probiotics group continued to lose weight – a total of 11.5 pounds per person. Upon testing, these women demonstrated having a drop in an appetite-regulating hormone, as well as less of the intestinal bacteria related to obesity.
Professor Tremblay concluded that probiotics may make the intestinal wall stronger and more able to prevent inflammatory substances from passing into the intestine and entering the bloodstream. Those very substances and molecules that can lead to diabetes and obesity. He believes that several types of the probiotics found in yogurts and supplements can have a similar effect. Their study was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Yogurt helps weight loss and its also a proven natural sleep aid due to the high amount of calcium it contains. William Sears, M.D. says: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin.”
Dr. Sears continues and says: “This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.”
Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.
One calcium-based supplement shown to be effective for insomnia is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This formula contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, which are the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, menopause insomnia, teenage insomnia, heart health, restless legs syndrome and bone strength.
Sleep Minerals II also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly absorbable than hard tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals II – I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference. I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours. This has been a great improvement.”
This news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs. Since 2001, Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that work well and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.
Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise — by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors to get a good night’s sleep. For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.
Warm milk has long been a highly recommended folk remedy for insomnia. Regarding this, William Sears, M.D. says: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin.”
Dr. Sears continues and says: “This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.”
Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.
The study concluded that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.
In another report called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium”, the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with a calcium deficiency causes difficulty with falling asleep. This same study says that: “Muscle cramps associated with calcium deficiency often occur at night and without exertion. Such cramps usually involve the calves and thighs, but not the hands or feet.”
Regarding magnesium, this study notes that the “Classical sign of magnesium deficiency is insomnia characterized by falling asleep easily but awakening frequently throughout the night, with individuals finding themselves tired even after several hours of sleep.”
One natural insomnia remedy showing good results is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This natural sleep aid contains powerful forms of calcium and magnesium, the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep, as well as for restless leg syndrome, stomach health, teenage insomnia, and menopause insomnia. The ingredients are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”
In summary, make good use of natural minerals as the first line of defense against sleeplessness and insomnia.
Not only are cherries one of the most satisfying and delicious foods around, they are rated by the American Journal of Nutrition in the “Top 50 List” of foods with the most powerful nutritional content and health benefits.
It’s the deep red, blue and purple colors of the top berries that contain the plant chemicals delivering a potent punch against disease. Recent research studies have discovered that health benefits of cherries include muscle pain relief, reducing inflammation, remedying insomnia, protection of brain cells, and relief for knee arthritis.
Many of the scientific studies on cherries are done with tart cherries or Montmorency cherries — usually sold as juice, dried, frozen, and in powdered supplement capsules. For those seeking a food-based remedy for sleeplessness and insomnia, the tart Montmorency cherry is known to contain high levels of melatonin, the hormone made in the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
The European Journal of Nutrition presented a placebo-controlled study that proved drinking tart cherry juice increases melatonin and improves sleep quality. Drinking the juice resulted in longer sleep times, less daytime napping and greater overall sleep efficiency (the ratio of the time spent in bed to the time actually spent sleeping).
Cherries also give proven relief for people who would like to reduce muscle pain or soreness after exercise or a lot of physical activity. A study from a sports nutrition journal discovered that runners who drank tart cherry juice prior to and during a race, experienced much less pain afterwards. The high levels of anti-inflammatory properties in cherries provided a protective effect against muscle damage.
In the battle against belly fat, cherries can be a good weapon. In one animal study from the University of Michigan, scientists mixed whole tart cherry powder in with a high fat diet. The animals that ate the cherries had a lower body weight, lower cholesterol and significantly lower levels of the kind of inflammation that’s linked to heart disease and diabetes in humans.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes chronic joint pain, swelling, and reduced motion in joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects hands, knees, hips or spine. In a recent study at the Baylor Research Institute, scientists gave tart cherry powder in capsules to people with knee osteoarthritis. At the end of the eight week study, over 50% of the people benefited with good increases in movement and significant reduction of pain.
Gout is a kind of arthritis that can cause an attack of sudden burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually in a big toe or in other bones of the foot. A study from the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found that patients with gout who consumed cherries over a two-day period showed a 35% lower risk of gout attacks.
For better brain health as one ages, a study from the journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has proven that tart cherries protect brain cells from cell-damaging stress in a dose-dependent manner. In other words, when more cherries are eaten, there are more neuro-protective benefits for the brain. This shows a potential defense against conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Cherries are certainly a delicious way to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as to help with a stronger heart and brain and ease insomnia and sleeplessness. Calcium and magnesium are also proven remedies for insomnia. Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs is a popular supplement that contains highly absorbable forms of these minerals and is effective for an inability to sleep, as well as for heart health, restless leg syndrome, bone strength, menopause insomnia and teenage insomnia.
Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals II — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
This natural health news on the health benefits of cherries is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs, makes the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.
Exercise such as walking may be one of the most effective ways to reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and heart symptoms.
