On Being a Pro-Sleep Supplement

I sometimes wonder which vitamins is best for me as there are a lot of multivitamins which are sold out there. Commercials would make them appear that they are totally complete and is indeed the best one for you…but which is really the best? Or do I really need one?

A nutritionist told me way back, when I was confined in a hospital that it really depends on a person’s diet and need. There are some people who are able to eat balanced diet and adequate amounts of all the nutrients that they need that is isn’t necessary to add supplements. There are those who don’t eat vegetables or who only eat certain kinds of vegetables. This puts them at risk for certain nutritional deficiencies. So it really depends on your diet.

It would also depend on your need. Like for alcoholics, most likely, the nutrient that may be depleted among this group of people is thiamine. For pregnant women, it is important to take iron, folic acid, and vitamin A supplements at certain periods of their pregnancy so as not to produce undesirable effects in their infants.

For people like me who have sleep problems, we also have specific nutritional needs which should be obtained either thru the diet or if it is not possible, it may be obtained thru the supplements.

I learned from the nutritionist that sleep can be disturbed with deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids. So here are some important substances that we should look for: calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, folic acid, and inositol.
Adequate amounts of calcium are said to have a calming effect on the nerves. Magnesium deficiency on the other hand can induce nervousness, one factor that can prevent sleep. It would be important for us to note that timing of intake is important here – it should be 45 minutes before going to sleep. This is to achieve that tranquilizing effect.

The B vitamins are said to have sedative effects on the brain. Two of the most important B vitamins for us insomniacs are vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and inositol.

There are also some important amino acids that are said to be beneficial: tryptophan and phosphatidylserine. Tryptophan is also called a natural sleep inducing chemical. It is converted to serotonin and it likewise enhances the production of melatonin. Both of which are helpful in inducing sleep and in regulating the body’s natural inner clock.

I know I’m bombarding your mind with a lot of technical and spellingbee-ish entries here, but I guess its important that we should know what to look for in supplements or probably what nutrients should be always present in our diet to help us live a healthy life.

Be sure to check out the Home Study Course for even more tips on sleeping!

Next Post: The need for sleep supplements

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