In the evening, our bodies are able to conduct maintenance tests on all our organs; the priority being to replenish, repair and restore. The importance that is placed on a good sleeping habits to safeguard long-term health is one of the reasons why so many people seek out sleep supplements in order to improve or optimize their sleep practices.
Adjustogens, stress reduction mood-enhancing supplements, sleep supplements: they’re all huge business right now. According to a report published earlier this month in Nutra Ingredients America the sales of stress-related and sleep products are growing by 35% year over year as well as smart drugs, nootropics and adaptogens like ashwagandha are leading the way.
Sales of sleep and stress supplements increased to record amount of $400 million in the period between January through July 2020. This is a huge increase on the $294 million that was sold during the same timeframe in the year 2019. Based on the data, sleep supplements make up the vast bulk of the growth.
For people wanting to get better sleep and stress levels and be more in control of their wellbeing, supplements can be a great way to begin. However, there are a lot of fraudulent supplement companies out there that are only there to make quick money and who don’t have your wellbeing as their main priority. Shaheen Majeed, President Worldwide of Sabinsa has warned that the high growth in sales in ashwaganda may attract “unsavoury actors to this category.”
Also, intentionally augmenting the body’s sleep pattern using sleep aids, or any over sleeping pills is known to have varied results and can be problematic.
Melatonin supplements are good for you?
Melatonin is an established sleeping aid, but there are many complications with the use of melatonin in sleep. Firstly, much confusion arises due to melatonin being the term used for the naturally produced sleep hormone but also the most well-known sleep supplement. Melatonin sleep supplements are commonly taken for those who suffer from insomnia or nighttime anxiety. High levels of our naturally synthesized melatonin tell the body that it’s time for sleep . However, high levels of the synthetic sleep aid of the same name, may cause nausea, headaches, and vomiting if taken long-term. The health risks associated with long-term use of melatonin are not yet known because of the absence of rigorous studies. Although, so far, melatonin doesn’t seem to be causing any major health issues however, it can cause adverse effects including headache, sleepiness nausea, dizziness, headache and it is recommended not to drive or use machines for the next 4-5 hours following taking melatonin. Unanswered questions are the reason why people are increasingly turning to alternative sleeping aids to help with insomnia.
What supplements help with sleep deprivation and insomnia?
Sleep deprivation affects every aspect of our lives and if left unresolved, can be highly detrimental to long-term health and life expectancy. As a top sleep specialist, Dr Michael Grandner explains, the entire body is the system of clocks that are linked to circadian rhythms. As a result, when you don’t get enough sleep, the body becomes constantly out of sync and vital internal systems like metabolic and immune systems start to fail. The result of not getting enough sleep can cause a range of health complications, beginning with cognitive decline and memory loss. This then affecting circulatory system, health and, if left untreated, increasing the chance of developing weight gain, diabetes and cancer. Certain foods can help sleep better in comparison to others (warm milk drinks before bed support sleep because milk contains tryptophan – an ingredient that is a precursor for melatonin like the good fats found in chicken, salmon and nuts, making them useful ingredients to include in dinners) While a balanced diet by itself isn’t sufficient enough to return to an unbalanced body and mind, aided by restful sleep. Supplements, if consumed at the appropriate time in the right amount and in the proper way, can greatly aid. It is essential to take natural ingredients that’ve repeatedly been proven through peer-reviewed research studies.
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What are the top natural sleep aids for you, according to science?
Natural sleep aids and supplements to aid in sleep are abundant, but the evidence from science is usually outdated, insufficient or requires further exploration. Herbs and other natural ingredients can be used get sleepy since the beginning of time, but it’s now that we are searching for hard evidence that they’re able to function reliably in a safe way without putting a risk on health. Different people have different results with natural ingredients for sleep and it’s not always easy to know what’s resulted and what hasn’t. However, being aware of the benefits of natural sleep supplements can be a great help in achieving relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
This is our review of the most commonly used herbal and natural supplements used to support a restful sleep:
Saffron?
Studies have proven that saffron increases sleep quality by lowering levels stress hormone cortisol within the body. In addition, it assists in aiding in the natural production of the sleep-regulating hormone Melatonin. This process in turn helps to put the body into an improved state of rest for deep, restorative sleep. LYMA uses a patented formula made up of saffron extract, affron(r) that is dosed to 28 mg to ensure the greatest efficacy. Six medical studies to date have shown the positive effects of affron(r) across mood and sleep quality for healthy adults. It causes no substantiated side-effects, nor does it induce drowsiness, making it a better alternative to prescription sleep medication or other sedative-based supplements for sleep.
Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng
A Ayurvedic adaptogen, which has been used for centuries to help relieve stress and improve mental clarity, ashwagandha still considered to be among the best herbal remedies today. KSM-66 Ashwagandha(r) has the potential to influence and enhance how much sleep is experienced for healthy people. Another placebo-controlled, randomised study examined the efficacy and safety of KSM-66 Ashwagandha(r) for the situation of insomnia. It found that the KSM-66 Ashwagandha(r) is a chemical with potent sleep-inducing potential, that it is well-tolerated and improves sleep quality and the time to sleep for patients who suffer from insomnia. The dose is of 600 mg daily (the exact amount listed on the LYMA formula). According to the study, KSM-66 could help improve sleep for patients suffering from insomnia or who suffer from anxiety disorders or mood disorders that can prevent people from falling asleep or staying asleep.
But, the amount, source and doses of ashwagandha greatly influence the effectiveness of the herb. Most important, it is known that the leaves and stems of ashwagandha plant are highly toxic. The root extract from the plant that must be used for extraction in a certain manner. KSM-66(r) Ashwagandha within LYMA is said to be a supplement for sleep that is effective for the most well-known cases of insomnia. It is a guaranteed dose of 600 mg daily. is peer-reviewed and scientifically proven to create an optimal sleep state that results in the morning with a calm and positive mindset.
Curcumin?
Turmeric extract has been documented to help in preventing inflammation. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is typically found in supplements for health. Curcumin is often sought out as an indirect sleep aid because of its capability to treat numerous illnesses that may be inhibiting restorative sleep. Curcumin is also believed to support healthy serotonin levels and increase the body’s natural dopamine production, which can create a favorable environment for sleep. The complication with curcumin is that, in its natural form, it isn’t easily absorbed from the body. Most water-soluble extracts don’t work as the bulk of the ingredient comprised of the transport system to make it water-soluble, leaving little space for the beneficial curcuminoids. But, HydroCurc(r) can be described as a unique, patented and engineered form of turmeric that is completely water-soluble. Its carrier system only accounts for about 15% of total ingredient, which leaves plenty of space for curcuminoids. LYMA contains a daily 600mg dose of HydroCurc(r) that has been confirmed to be essential for physiologically benefits.
CBD Oil?
It’s the anti-anxiety effects, anti-inflammatory properties and relief from pain potential that are the main benefits of CBD oil (aka cannabidiol) that have brought it into the mainstream as an effective relaxant in addition to a sleep-enhancing natural ingredient. CBD is a component of the cannabis plant , however it’s not a crime in the majority of countries, but strict guidelines and laws must be adhered to. Still in its infancy as a sleep aid and further research into CBD oil for sleep have be conducted to establish that CBD has a sufficient tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system to aid to ease the process of sleep. Levagen(r)+, a patented form of palmitic acid monoethanolamide (otherwise known as palmitoylethanolamide or PEA), a fatty acid the body naturally produces and which can be found in egg yolks and peanuts, helps healthy people fall asleep more easily.
The reason Vitamin D3 has been proven clinically.
Vitamin D could be the widest reaching nutrition we need to optimise our health because it is responsible for regulating so many functions within our bodies. This is also the reason that a Vitamin D insufficient level is the main reason why we are more susceptible to injuries to the musculoskeletal system and calcium deficiency, respiratory tract infections and weight gain. Medical papers repeatedly show that insufficient Vitamin D leads to feelings of fatigue and daytime tiredness which is why Vitamin D supplements maintain a healthy state of mind and increase energy levels. A high-quality supply of vitamin D has been shown to relieve mental strain and increase bone density. It can also boost immunity. This evidence-based argument is the reason the patented version made of Vitamin D; Vita-Algae D3(tm) is found in The LYMA Supplement with an optimised and clinically proven dosage of 2,200 i.u.
When selecting a sleep-enhancing supplement make sure you know the product you’re purchasing. If an ingredient isn’t patented, it is not guaranteed to deliver results. Patented ingredients tend to possess special qualities that warrant protection. These qualities include the protection of a special technology, quality of the material, superior bioavailability, and demonstrated stability. Generic ingredients, on the contrary, are not proven as effective and, therefore, not guaranteed to be effective.
What are the best non-prescription sleep aids?
Sleep aids that are prescribed by a doctor aren’t always secure or advisable for long-term use. Sleep medications and sedatives push the body to fall into deep sleep for extended periods of time . This does not cover the body’s normal sleep patterns, like REM when the body carries vital functions of reparation. This state of deep sleep often also results in morning drowsiness, and bad wake-up habits. These sleep aids are a good option to help induce sleep, but they treat only the symptom of poor sleep, not the cause. Depression, anxiety, or any other issues that can cause sleeplessness should be taken care of. An all-round health supplement is likely to offer greater benefits for sleep than prescription medications on its own.
So , how do you know whether the sleep or stress supplement that you buy will really help to address the issue and help you regain your health? It will do well and with no undesirable side effects?
The supplement industry is plagued with low quality, unproven, synthetic ingredients that are typically inaccessible and don’t meet any industry standard. You might think that if you invest a significant amount of money for an ingredient, you’re sure of a high-quality product. However, this is not always the case. If an ingredient hasn’t been clinically evaluated or peer reviewed , there’s the possibility of paying a fortune on what is in essence nothing more than the results of a placebo.
The most effective all-in-one supplement for sleep
All-in-one health supplements that contain scientifically proven and potent organic ingredients that can improve every aspect of your health might be a better alternative to sedatives that are targeted ingredients. This is because good sleep is an indicator of our overall health, so the body that is healthy, has balanced hormones and low levels of cortisol will naturally enhance to sleep.