Sleep Deprived?
Bite This: According to the National Sleep Foundation ( I swear, there is a foundation for everything), adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per day. Forty-seven million American adults do not get the required amount of sleep they need to be alert the next day. Night shift workers are 30-50% more likely to develop heart disease than day workers in the same industry.
We all know that many children, teens and adults suffer from sleep deprivation. Sleep may be overlooked by many as they seem to "get by" on less than the required amount. Lack of sleep can lead to falling asleep while driving, depression, forgetfulness, impaired judgement, decreased cognitive ability, and many other detriments. It can also impact your health with dire consequences.
Studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to decreased immune system, heart disease including heart attacks, hypertension, stroke and diabetes. Research has shown that getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can cause cravings for sweet and/or fatty foods leading to weight gain.
While there are many prescription drugs that can help remedy insomnia, you may also want to try certain foods. Foods, the right foods, are often times more powerful than a synthetic drug.
1. Fish - many fish including salmon and tuna contain vitamin B6 which is needed to make melatonin (a hormone which induces sleep). Other sources of vitamin B6 include fortified cereals, breads, bananas, chickpeas and many others.
2. Cherries - I have mentioned this before, but cherries also induce sleep by elevating melatonin levels.
3. Milk (or yogurt) - milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan which converts to serotonin in the body. Serotonin also modulates sleep. Cow's milk also contains melatonin which is increased when cows are milked in the darkness. (I know... pretty cool. Wonder if your local grocer knows if the milk you purchase came from a cow milked in the dark?)
4. Whole Grains - rich in B vitamins and magnesium. Too little magnesium may make it harder to stay asleep.
5. Kiwi - some studies have shown promising effects with kiwi inducing sleep as well.
Many people have their own home remedies of how to cure insomnia. However, consuming an overall quality diet is the best remedy for pretty much anything. Think about it...
Sound bite: Next time you're laying in bed not sleeping, think about your diet. Is there something you can change to help you sleep more soundly? Are you just overweight and suffer from sleep apnea/snoring? You can change that with a healthy diet too.
We all know that many children, teens and adults suffer from sleep deprivation. Sleep may be overlooked by many as they seem to "get by" on less than the required amount. Lack of sleep can lead to falling asleep while driving, depression, forgetfulness, impaired judgement, decreased cognitive ability, and many other detriments. It can also impact your health with dire consequences.
Studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to decreased immune system, heart disease including heart attacks, hypertension, stroke and diabetes. Research has shown that getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can cause cravings for sweet and/or fatty foods leading to weight gain.
While there are many prescription drugs that can help remedy insomnia, you may also want to try certain foods. Foods, the right foods, are often times more powerful than a synthetic drug.
1. Fish - many fish including salmon and tuna contain vitamin B6 which is needed to make melatonin (a hormone which induces sleep). Other sources of vitamin B6 include fortified cereals, breads, bananas, chickpeas and many others.
2. Cherries - I have mentioned this before, but cherries also induce sleep by elevating melatonin levels.
3. Milk (or yogurt) - milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan which converts to serotonin in the body. Serotonin also modulates sleep. Cow's milk also contains melatonin which is increased when cows are milked in the darkness. (I know... pretty cool. Wonder if your local grocer knows if the milk you purchase came from a cow milked in the dark?)
4. Whole Grains - rich in B vitamins and magnesium. Too little magnesium may make it harder to stay asleep.
5. Kiwi - some studies have shown promising effects with kiwi inducing sleep as well.
Many people have their own home remedies of how to cure insomnia. However, consuming an overall quality diet is the best remedy for pretty much anything. Think about it...
Sound bite: Next time you're laying in bed not sleeping, think about your diet. Is there something you can change to help you sleep more soundly? Are you just overweight and suffer from sleep apnea/snoring? You can change that with a healthy diet too.
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