Trouble Sleeping? More Magnesium May Help (from Human Nutrition Research Center)

By Forrest Nielsen

Can’t sleep? You are not alone. Not being able to sleep, or insomnia, is a common complaint, especially among people older than 50. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems.

Not surprisingly, lack of sleep is caused mainly by factors that are more common later in life, such as breathing problems, illness and medications. Yet, scientists have proved that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging.

Five common complaints are trouble falling asleep, waking up, awaking too early, needing to nap and not feeling rested.

Lack of sleep is a health concern because it can cause attention and memory problems, depressed mood and body chemistry changes that foster heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

A factor getting more attention recently is poor nutrition. A low intake of the mineral magnesium may be one nutritional factor causing sleep problems.

Magnesium plays a key role in the body’s chemistry that regulates sleep. This may be why persons with long-term lack of sleep, or abnormal brain waves during deep sleep, often have low magnesium in their blood.

Some small studies with humans and rats also suggest that magnesium is needed for good sleep. Magnesium treatment increased deep sleep and improved brain waves during sleep in 12 elderly subjects. Magnesium treatment decreased time to fall asleep and improved sleep quality of 11 alcoholic patients who often have a low magnesium status. Magnesium deficiency increased time awake at the expense of deep sleep in rats. Feeding magnesium to the rats restored their sleep patterns to normal.

The diets of many people do not contain enough magnesium for good health and sleep. In 1997, the United States Food and Nutrition Board set the recommended dietary allowance (or daily intake) for magnesium at 320 milligrams for women and 420 milligrams for men between ages 51 and 70.

A national food consumption survey found that many Americans, especially older women, consume less than the recommended amount for magnesium.  Another risk factor for low magnesium status in older women is the use of calcium supplements without magnesium for bone health. High calcium intakes can make magnesium deficiency worse.

Perhaps, you have heard or read of the folk remedy of drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed if you have trouble with falling asleep. This remedy may work for some people because milk is a fair source for magnesium. A glass of milk provides about 30 milligrams of magnesium. This amount of magnesium could be the difference between a deficient and adequate magnesium status for many people.

Other foods that have good amounts of magnesium are whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are a good source of magnesium because the green color is chlorophyll, a chemical that contains magnesium and converts sunlight into food energy.

(From the Human Nutrition Research Center of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture).

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid featuring calcium and magnesium Sleep Minerals II.

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 two and a half years and have had restless leg syndrome my entire life. This is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”

For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.

Source: Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center : Do you have trouble sleeping? More magnesium might help.

Four Researched Tips to Remedy Insomnia and Improve Sleep

Greetings to you,

It’s Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of Sleep Minerals II. Over the years of helping people with their sleep, I have discovered several useful tips that can help make a big difference and increase the quality and quantity of one’s sleep.

#1 – We live in an electronics-oriented world, from computers, to cell phones, to texting, to reading books on tablets, etc. These tools help increase our efficiency and ability to work and learn and communicate, but when it comes to getting good sleep, they can interfere.

One study from a university in New York found that exposure to light from electronic displays can suppress melatonin by about 22 percent. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. It is present in higher amounts at night time. It’s best to shut off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime and do some relaxing things before bed.

#2 – Go outside and take a walk each day. The purpose of this is to vary your attention and focus from the usual indoor tasks. The daily tasks one does are usually a certain distance from the eyes. It’s a great help to go out and look at things that are farther away and are larger than what you look at inside. Look at trees, buildings, cars, houses, clouds, etc. and notice things you have never seen before, each time you walk.

This expands one’s attention and helps the body to rest better at night. It’s not necessarily the exercise factor. It helps to give one new points of view. Supporting this are studies from the University of Arizona which found that walking more than six blocks a day at a normal pace significantly improves sleep at night.

#3 – When taking natural sleep aids, its good to remember that each person is a unique individual and doing some experimenting with the dosage can be instrumental in achieving success. At first, err on the side of taking too little rather than too much. Another thing to keep in mind is that natural aids are not drugs and they may not work immediately and fully with the first dose or even the first few doses. It can take up to a couple weeks to see the best results.

For example with Sleep Minerals II made by Nutrition Breakthroughs, the calcium and magnesium are formulated in a softgel with natural oils. This makes the minerals very powerful as a sleep remedy.  It can help with frequent awakenings, teenage insomnia, menopause insomnia, restless leg syndrome and chronic sleeplessness.

James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”

Most people do fine with one Sleep Minerals softgel taken about a half hour before bed. But for others, one is too much and the softgel needs to be opened at one end so that less than one can be taken out and used. If a person takes too much calcium for their body, it can have an energizing effect rather than a relaxing one. Even when less than one is used, give it a trial of at least a couple weeks.

#4 – Sometimes hunger can strike at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and keep one awake. If this occurs, eat something with high protein such as turkey. Keep it in a baggie next to your bed or in a small cooler. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a component of protein) that has a calming effect. Some types of turkey to try are lunchmeat, turkey burgers, turkey meat from legs or thighs, etc. The brain is able to convert tryptophan into melatonin. Often just a few bites are enough to help get one back to sleep, but eat until the hunger is handled.

As a note, concentrated tryptophan capsules are not recommended as they can create extreme grogginess in the morning and take quite a while to wear off.

A few small changes in one’s life can go a long way towards remedying insomnia and giving oneself the gift of a great night’s sleep.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
President
Nutrition Breakthroughs, Maker of Sleep Minerals II
Toll-free (888) 861-0326

New Reviews of Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week.

Insomnia is defined as “An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”

In an effort to combat this, as many as 25 percent of the people in the United States use medications to help them sleep.

Sleep Minerals II is the original drug-free calcium and magnesium based sleep aid. The minerals are uniquely formulated in a softgel with natural oils, making them highly absorbable. The product soothes insomnia and helps everyone from older adults, to teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, to get a good night’s sleep. It also calms restless leg syndrome.

James F. Balch, M.D., author of “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”

Alex R. of Ramseur, North Carolina shares his review and says: “Sleep Minerals II has been a blessing for me. It has given me the opportunity to withdraw from a highly addictive sleep medication over time, and has allowed me to sleep while going through this most difficult ordeal. What’s great about it is it doesn’t lose its effectiveness, which is something that happens with medications. I am most thankful for this product.”

Chris M. of the United Kingdom says: “I take one softgel of Sleep Minerals II before bed every night and within 20 minutes I am asleep. The difference in the quality of my sleep and the ease with which I get to sleep using this product is monumental. I have stopped obsessing about sleep or dreading bedtime — I just take a softgel and drift off. If I stop taking them, within a week the amount of my sleep diminishes and my old insomniac patterns reappear.”

Sadie D. from The Netherlands says: “I am ever so grateful that I discovered Sleep Minerals II after suffering with premenopause and now the real menopausal insomnia. I felt like I was slowly losing my mind due to the continual lack of sleep. I can’t express the relief of getting a good night’s sleep and being able to function properly.”

Jill C. of Ellensburg, Washington says: “My husband has been struggling with restless leg syndrome (RLS) his whole life. Coming back from a deployment in Iraq five years ago made his RLS become magnificently worse, creating nightly insomnia. He couldn’t sleep more than three to five hours unless taking an addictive prescribed narcotic, which he became tolerant to and the insomnia came back with no answers. Now he’s been taking Sleep Minerals II for a week and every night has had a great night’s sleep. We are thrilled.”

Darleen T. of La Mesa, California says: “I purchased Sleep Minerals for my teenage daughter. When she started on the minerals she hadn’t been sleeping well for the past couple of years. She was run down and feeling beyond her years… exhausted. Once she started on the Sleep Minerals, she can fall into a restful sleep by 10:30 p.m. and sleep all night. This product is a heaven send and has given her a life back.”

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 the 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. Thank you for making sleep a reality for so many people.”

This news is provided by http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia

6 Fantastic Fruit Colors Provide Many Natural Remedies

Greetings to you,

Have a look at this magnificent chart of fruits below and what they heal.  Whether its grapefruit for urinary tract infections, blueberries for diabetes, watermelon for reducing blood pressure, or pomegranate for women’s hormone health.

This health information is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, the natural solution for arthritis, pain relief, allergies and more energy.

fruit

 

Taking Calcium Supplements or Dairy Requires Adding Zinc for Balance

Consuming extra calcium from dairy products or supplements could put older women at risk of low zinc — unless they get extra zinc, too.

That’s the word from two studies at the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Research Center in Boston.

Zinc’s many functions include helping to maintain a healthy immune system, skin and appetite.

Calcium supplement sales have soared with the growing awareness that high intakes of this mineral help prevent osteoporosis. Richard J. Wood and associates looked for a zinc-calcium interaction in elderly women because, as a group, they tend to have low zinc intakes.

About half of U.S. women consume less than two-thirds the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 12 mg, according to survey data. And the amount of zinc people absorb from their meals decreases with age.

In one of the new studies, 18 relatively healthy women past menopause increased calcium intake to 1,360 milligrams daily — a little higher than the 1,200 mg now recommended for people over age 50. Their zinc absorption dropped by an average of about 2 milligrams. This happened regardless of whether they got the extra calcium from milk or from a calcium supplement. The study lasted 36 days.

In a second study, zinc absorption dropped by half when a group of 10 men and women took a calcium supplement with a single test meal. But adding nearly 8 milligrams of zinc to the calcium supplement offset this effect.

This data points in the direction that people taking extra calcium should also increase their zinc intake. The richest dietary sources of zinc are oysters, liver and beef, followed by whole grains, nuts, popcorn, poultry and lamb. Zinc supplements are also widely available.

Comments from the blog author Nutrition Breakthroughs: 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.  Supplements containing calcium for sleep should also contain magnesium, vitamin D and zinc to ensure a balance of ingredients.

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 get results 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 with absorbable calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and zinc, and helping everyone from teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, to those with restless leg syndrome, to get a good night’s 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 two and a half years and have had restless leg syndrome my entire life. This is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit here.

Article Source: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/1998/980120.htm#

Study Shows Magnesium Increases Energy after Menopause

magnesium energyToo little magnesium in one’s diet will make the body work harder.

Most people think of calcium and phosphorus as the most important dietary components for bone health. But magnesium also plays an important role. It is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions, many of which help keep not only bones strong, but the heart rhythm healthy and the nervous system functioning smoothly.

A study by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture reveals important findings on the effects of depleted body magnesium levels on energy metabolism. Specifically, it showed that inadequate magnesium is associated with a need for increased oxygen during exercise. They found that during moderate activity, those with low magnesium levels in muscle are likely to use more energy—and therefore to tire more quickly—than those with adequate levels.

After consuming the low-magnesium diet, volunteers showed a significant overall loss of magnesium. They had lowered muscle levels of magnesium, and their red blood cells were at the low end of the normal range.

The data shows that during the low-magnesium-status phase, the postmenopausal volunteers used more oxygen during physical activity, and their heart rates increased by about 10 beats per minute. “When the volunteers were low in magnesium, they needed more energy and more oxygen to do low-level activities than when they were in adequate-magnesium status,” says Lukaski, one of the study authors.

These findings are consistent with other studies showing that too little magnesium makes the body work harder. “The effects are likely to occur in individuals with low magnesium, regardless of whether the person is athletic or sedentary,” says Lukaski.

“That means that athletes wouldn’t be able to work or train as long as they would if they had better magnesium levels. People need to eat adequate magnesium to make sure their hearts and muscles are healthy enough to meet the demands of daily living.”

Good sources of magnesium include bran muffins, pumpkin seeds, barley, buckwheat flour, yogurt, trail mix, halibut steaks, garbanzo beans, lima beans and spinach.

A note from the blog author Nutrition Breakthroughs: Magnesium is also known to be an effective natural remedy for sleeplessness and insomnia.  In a study from the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, research was done with 46 adults who were experiencing insomnia.

Taking two magnesium tablets twice a day resulted in significant increases in sleep time and reduced cortisol levels in the body, which is a stress hormone that can keep people awake. In another research study from the Human Nutrition Research Center of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, scientists found that a high magnesium diet is associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep.

This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs and its natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.  Sleep Minerals II is the original magnesium and calcium based sleep aid and is known for soothing even the worst insomnia.  It helps everyone from teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, to older seniors, to get a good night’s 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 — 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.”

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit this page.

Article Source: Agricultural Research Service

Nutrition Breakthroughs Says Happy Thanksgiving and Good Health

Holiday Greetings,

You are warmly thanked for being a valued reader of the Nutrition Breakthroughs blog.  We wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs

Maker of Sleep Minerals II, the Effective Natural Sleep Aid
and Joints and More, for Arthritis Relief, Pain Relief and More

Natural Sleep Aids: Tart Cherry Juice and Minerals Proven to Work

According to the National Sleep Foundation, almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week.

Insomnia is defined as “An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.” In an effort to combat this, as many as 25 percent of the people in the United States try medications to help them sleep.

Most sleeping pills, especially when taken over long periods of time, can have multiple side effects. The drugs stay in the bloodstream, give a hangover effect the next day and beyond, tend to be addictive, and can increase the risk of car and work accidents. They can also impair memory and performance on the job and at home.  This results in greater numbers of people reaching out to find effective natural sleep aids.

In a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that drinking tart Montmorency cherry juice results in significant improvements in sleep. The juice contains several plant nutrients known as “phytonutrients” and is also high in the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. The benefits of the cherry juice included longer sleep times, less daytime napping, and increased overall sleep efficiency (the ratio of the time spent in bed to the time spent sleeping).

In the placebo-controlled study, 20 volunteers consumed either tart cherry juice concentrate or a non-cherry juice drink for 7 days.  The researchers credited the benefits of cherry juice to its high natural melatonin content, which a hormone produced by the brain that regulates the sleep/wake cycles, with more melatonin being produced at night time.

The researchers concluded: “These data suggest that consumption of a tart cherry juice concentrate provides an increase in melatonin that is beneficial in improving sleep duration and quality in … men and women and might be of benefit in managing disturbed sleep.”

Regarding mineral-based natural sleep aids, calcium is also directly related to the cycles of sleep.  In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels 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.

When magnesium is deficient, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was shown in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota.

A balanced calcium magnesium ratio is important to overall health and these two minerals should be taken together for best results (in a two to one ratio with twice as much calcium as magnesium).

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2002. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D, and also Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.

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.”

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit the sleep remedy page.

Dairy-Free Foods for Building Strong Bones

Greetings to you,

I’ve included an interesting chart below with the healthiest dairy-free foods for building strong bones and teeth.  Nuts, broccoli and figs are high in calcium and magnesium, which are known to strengthen bones.  Foods rich in vitamin D are also beneficial.

For vitamin D, spend a bit of time outside in the sunshine and also eat fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Natural Sleep Aids and Joint Relief Products

strong bones

Key Steps to Avoid GMO Foods

gmo foodsKey Steps to Avoid GMO Foods

Greetings to you,

Animal testing with genetically modified organisms has shown severe organ damage.  In addition, sterility has resulted among cows and pigs fed GMO foods like corn on North American farms.

The number one tip is to avoid purchasing foods or oils that contain non-organic soy, corn, cottonseed or canola ingredients.  90 percent of these crops are now genetically modified.  When these ingredients are on the label, look for “certified organic” or “organic” next to them.  Processed foods and restaurants are other risk areas.  Some known GMO vegetables to be avoided are:

  • Sweet corn
  • Hawaiian papaya
  • Zucchini
  • Yellow summer squash
  • Edamame (soy)

Vegetables and fruits to be enjoyed freely are:

  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Potatoes
  • Grapes
  • Avocados
  • Broccoli
  • Lettuce
  • Leafy greens
  • Tomatoes
  • Berries
  • Bananas
  • Cucumbers
  • Peas
  • Celery
  • Melons

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More