The elusive “good night’s sleep” can be a struggle at times. When sleep doesn’t come, turning to a sleep aid may be helpful, but which one do you try? Keep reading to learn more about why supplements may be the answer to getting those z’s.
Finding Sleep
Many Americans, about 30% to be exact, suffer from symptoms of insomnia with 10% of those reporting that insomnia impacts their daily life. Quality sleep is vital to health and wellness and not getting enough of it can increase the risk of developing diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Finding the sleep you need is important for every aspect of your life!
There are so many elements that contribute to a restful night’s sleep. Temperature, lighting, mattress quality, as well as lifestyle factors like a good diet, limited alcohol use, and stress all play into whether you wake up refreshed or exhausted.
The recommended amount of sleep for adults 18+ is at least seven hours per night. If you’re not getting those hours and you’ve exhausted steps like sticking to a schedule, getting enough physical activity, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark, a sleep aid may be what you need.
Sleep Aids
As the name suggests, sleep aids help you fall (or stay) asleep. There are a lot of options when it comes to sleeping pills. Many are available over-the-counter, by prescription, or in natural supplement form. Each type of sleep aid works differently. Some make you drowsy and relaxed while others silence the part of your brain that makes you stay alert.
Relatedly, each type of sleep aid has its own benefits, and some have drawbacks. One of the main concerns when considering a sleep aid should be how it leaves you feeling in the morning. The goal is to get a restful night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to go, not drowsy, lethargic and unable to be productive in your daily life.
Prescription sleeping pills tend to have side effects that include feeling fatigued and groggy the next day. Natural sleep aids may be a better choice for those concerned with side effects, a more natural approach to sleep, and a lessened chance of addiction.
Natural Sleep Aids
Natural sleep aids are over-the-counter, plant-based supplements intended to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Many of these supplements contain vitamins and minerals that are already present in a balanced, healthy diet. Before taking any supplement for sleep, you should understand the potential for side effects, as well as the benefits the supplement provides.
Supplements for Sleep
Melatonin: Melatonin is a hormone in your body that plays a role in sleep, especially in organizing our circadian rhythms, the 24-hour sleep-wake cycles that control when we wake up, sleep, feel alert, and feel tired. Melatonin production can be affected by a number of factors, including late night exposure to light, age, and some diseases.
Melatonin may be a good choice for people whose sleep disorders are associated with: menopause, jet lag, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, delayed sleep phase syndrome, or who have naturally low levels of melatonin production.
Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral in the body that plays a role in nerve and muscle function, bone development, blood sugar control, and heart rhythm consistency. Research suggests that magnesium helps people keep healthy sleep schedules and get good quality sleep.
Higher levels of magnesium in the body is associated with better sleep, longer sleep times, and feeling less tired during the day. Some studies of older adults have shown that magnesium supplementation helped with falling asleep faster as well as inhibiting waking up earlier than intended. Magnesium glycinate is the most recommended form of magnesium to take for sleep as it’s most easily absorbed by the body.
Valerian: Valerian is an herbal sleep aid made from the roots and stems of the valerian plant. Valerian root’s medical usage dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Early on, people treated migraine, tiredness, stomach cramps, and insomnia with valerian. Modern day usage of valerian supplements include treatment for insomnia, anxiety, PMS, menopause, depression, and headaches.
Opting for a natural supplement for sleep may be a better option than prescription pills. Finding the right supplement can be a process that may be made easier by taking the 10X Health Precision Genetic Test. This test provides you with a wealth of knowledge about your body and what vitamins, minerals and nutrients it is deficient in.
Knowing your nutritional deficiencies can help you in supplementing exactly what your body needs to reach its full potential. 10X Health offers many supplements that may help with sleep and can even customize a supplementation plan to fit your needs.
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Reach out to 10X Health today to schedule your Precision Genetic Test or to shop our full line of 10X Health supplements!
