Stress and Insomnia in Teenagers - Studies Confirm Natural Remedies

Sometimes the stresses, pressures or demands at work, at school, or at home with family can interfere with our good sleep.  Stress manifests on the physical level by an outpouring of the adrenal gland hormones such as cortisol.  The adrenal glands are two small triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney.  During times when these stress hormones are increased, they can deplete our calcium levels -- a mineral known to help with relaxation and sleep.

Cortisol has a stimulating effect and can promote wakefulness at the very time when one is trying to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night. Scientists have recently discovered that increased blood levels of cortisol exist in people with chronic insomnia. 

In a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, investigators monitored the sleep of eleven patients with insomnia and thirteen people without sleep disorders.  Blood was collected every thirty minutes for twenty-four hours, and levels of adrenal stress hormones were monitored.  They found that the level of adrenal hormones were significantly higher in the people with insomnia as opposed to the other group.  The insomniacs with the highest degree of sleep disturbances produced the highest amounts of cortisol, particularly in the nighttime hours.

From a nutritional perspective, the mineral calcium has long been known as a natural aid to relaxation and sleep and 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.

Research has uncovered that in the presence of elevated cortisol levels, the amount of calcium is rapidly reduced in the body.  Studies have shown that calcium levels are reduced for as long as the cells are exposed to cortisol, but promptly return to their normal level once the stress hormone is removed.  In light of recent discoveries about the relationship between stress hormones and calcium depletion, it’s likely that nighttime calcium levels can be restored and insomnia calmed by supplementing with highly absorbable forms of this mineral.

One sleep remedy that is gaining popularity due to its highly usable forms of calcium and magnesium is Sleep Minerals II from http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com. The product contains highly absorbable forms of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, all combined in a softgel with carrier oils.

One mother of a teenage son who was suffering with insomnia, was grateful to find Sleep Minerals II.  She says: “Our son began to have trouble sleeping about a year and a half ago. He was up until 2:00 a.m., and then he had to get up at 5:00.  This continued for quite a while.  He was miserable and so were we.  He’s an athlete and a student and we just couldn’t live like this.”

“We had spent hundreds of dollars on testing and supplements with a naturopath and it just didn’t work.  I searched on the Internet and found Sleep Minerals II.  I thought to myself, ‘I’ll give it a try, there’s nothing harmful in it’.  Well, from the get-go it helped Mitchell sleep better.  He’s been using it as a sleep remedy for some time now.  He is sleeping well and is so happy and healthy.  He’s a normal teenager again.  I just can’t say enough about what this product has done for us.”

Other helpful tips to support our health in stressful times include eating nourishing foods such as brightly colored vegetables and fruits, taking food supplements like fish oil capsules and green drink powders, doing some daily exercise like taking walks, and creating positive communications and relationships with others.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html

Sleep Minerals II - A Powerful Natural Insomnia Remedy for Teenagers Sleep

Nutrition Breakthroughs of Glendale California is providing a natural alternative to sleeping drugs with Sleep Minerals II, a potent weapon in the war against insomnia and its many side effects. This next generation of Sleep Minerals features fast absorbing forms of nature’s best-known minerals for relaxation – calcium and magnesium. A recent National Sleep Foundation poll reports that American insomnia rates have increased from 51% to 64% in the last few years.

According to the National Institutes of Health, insomnia can wreak havoc on the health and lives of its sufferers, causing excessive daytime sleepiness and extreme lack of energy.  The sleep-deprived can become irritable and depressed and may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning and remembering.  Insomnia can contribute to accidents with machinery, accidents from poor balance, and accidents on the road while driving.

The use of prescription sleeping drugs has steadily increased, and most sleeping pills, especially when taken over long periods of time, stay in the bloodstream, give a hangover effect the next day and beyond, and impair performance on the job and at home.  Insomnia is a major problem for millions of Americans, with 25% of the U.S. using sleeping drugs in an effort to get some rest.  Because of the drug side effects, an increasing number of people are reaching out to find an effective insomnia remedy .

Sleep Minerals II has stepped forward as a potent natural alternative.  It can help the restless sleep whether they are unable to fall asleep at the beginning of the night, or they habitually wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.  It is an effective insomnia remedy due to its unique combination of ingredients.  It contains highly absorbable forms of minerals, including six types of calcium (carbonate, citrate, gluconate, aspartate, malate, micronized hydroxyapatite), three forms of magnesium (oxide, aspartate, citrate), boron, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and horsetail herb – all combined in a softgel with carrier oils.  Oils such as evening primrose have been shown to increase mineral absorption, reduce calcium excretion, and increase bone density.

Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. One study found that calcium levels were higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.  Calcium is one of the few minerals that acts as a natural sedative, because it causes the release of the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan. The well-known nutritionist Adelle Davis says: "A calcium deficiency often shows itself by insomnia, another form of an inability to relax. The harm done by sleeping tablets, to say nothing of the thousands of dollars spent on them, could largely be avoided if the calcium intake were adequate."

Insomnia is also one of the main symptoms of a chronic magnesium deficiency. Sleep in magnesium deficiency 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 proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center called "Effects of trace element nutrition on sleep patterns in adult women."

However, no matter how many studies support the use of these ingredients and their unique formulation, the proof is in the pudding.  Lyn K. of Los Angeles, CA. says “I’ve had chronic insomnia for some years now and had been taking other calcium products to help with my sleep. None have worked as effectively or consistently as Sleep Minerals II. I can count on it whenever I need help falling asleep at night or going back to sleep during the night. This is what sets it apart from the rest – it works reliably. And in my life, I need to be well-rested 7 days a week, so I call this product my ‘Sleep Insurance’.  It also eases my menopause symptoms, evens out my hormonal changes, and seems to put my body into a healthy balance."

Veronica R. of British Columbia, Canada says: “This product has worked wonders for me. Before I started taking it, I would fall asleep and wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep (after going to the bathroom). When I got the product, I started taking two of them, and have had no problems going back to sleep. Now I don’t have to be awake for two or three hours every night. I’m so happy I took the chance to try it. I don’t like taking over-the-counter drugs. With Sleep Minerals II, I don’t feel sleepy at all during the day.”

So if you or someone you love is suffering with sleeplessness and insomnia, try putting some Sleep Minerals II into your arsenal of effective natural remedies.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit the insomnia remedy web page or the Nutrition Breakthroughs web site.

Calcium and Magnesium - Proven Remedies for Teenagers Sleep and Restless Leg Syndrome

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. Calcium and magnesium have long been major players in the quest for achieving vibrant health. The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis says: “Calcium can be as soothing as a mother, as relaxing as a sedative, and as life-saving as an oxygen tent.” And James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing says: “Supplementing with magnesium helps prevent irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and heart disease.”

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.

William Sears, M.D. writes: "Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods."

Nutrition-smart consumers should know the correct way to balance calcium and magnesium when taking supplements and be aware that the two act together as a synergistic team. Deficiencies of these minerals can contribute to nervous tension, an inability to relax and insomnia. Dr. James Balch says: "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."

In a breakthrough analysis study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Margaret Seelig, M.D. forwards the evidence that calcium and magnesium should be taken in a two to one ratio. Seelig says: “The Ca/Mg ratio of two to one (twice as much calcium as magnesium) has long been considered physiologic and best for normal functioning. This was confirmed on the basis of long-term metabolic studies in young men and women done by the Research Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

An example of a well-balanced mineral supplement is Sleep Minerals II from www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com. It is a natural sleep remedy which contains six forms of calcium, three forms of magnesium, boron, Vitamin D and Vitamin K – all combined in a softgel with carrier oils. Oils such as evening primrose have been shown to increase mineral absorption, reduce calcium excretion, and increase bone density. Calcium and magnesium are well-known for relaxing the nerves and muscles, supporting the health of women during menopause and PMS, and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Magnesium has been proven to be beneficial for restless leg syndrome. One study from the Journal "Sleep" is titled "Magnesium Therapy For Periodic Leg Movements (PLMS) - Related Insomnia And Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): An Open Pilot Study". In the 1998 study, the researchers concluded that: "Our study indicates that magnesium treatment may be a useful alternative therapy in patients with mild or moderate RLS-or PLMS-related insomnia."

Sleep Minerals II has had beneficial results with relieving insomnia and restless leg syndrome. Ali M. of Istanbul Turkey says: “I have been a pharmacist in Istanbul Turkey for almost 40 years and I also work as a consultant in food supplements. I suffer from restless leg syndrome at night. I recently tried your Sleep Minerals II and it had an astonishing beneficial result. My youngest brother, who is also a pharmacist, also suffers from restless leg syndrome. He tried the Sleep Minerals II with the same result. My mother aged 92 was complaining of sleep problems and seeking insomnia remedies. She also tried it and the result was again successful. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would have found it hard to believe."

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html

References:

1.Blaine Journal, January 1998, Magnesium (Mg) treatment or supplementation is often needed when calcium (Ca) intake is increased. Mildred S. Seelig. M.D.
2.Schmidt C.L.A., Greenberg D.M., Physiologic Review, 15: 297.
3. Hathaway F.W., Home Economics Research Report #19, Agricultural Research Service, Washington D.C., 1962.
4. Seelig M. S. (1964). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 14:342.