Curing Insomnia with Vitamin and Minerals

Poor eating habits or a general lack of important nutrients can lead to sleeplessness or chronic insomnia. It is indeed true that we are what we eat and it turns out that in this case, what we consume does affect the quality of our sleep. Therefore, the importance of maintaining a balanced diet cannot be stressed enough.

We will now examine the vitamins and minerals that can assist in battling insomnia. Be mindful however that you will probably not witness changes until you have consistently taken your vitamins and minerals over a course of two or more weeks. Additionally the rate of vitamin absorption also slows down with age.

Vitamin B Complex

It is in your best interest to get the required amount of B Vitamins. However some are particularly effective in promoting a restful sleep. They are as follows:

Vitamin B3 (niacin): This vitamin plays a vital role in keeping tryptophan ( a sleep inducing amino acid) at the required level. It helps you to fall asleep easily and lowers the likelihood of restlessness during the night.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): is a stress reducer and a lack of B5 can result in constant wakefulness and resultant tiredness.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid): is highly required since a lack of this vitamin usually results in insomnia.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): helps you to fall asleep and regulates the circadian rhythm or sleep pattern.

Please note that if you smoke, drink or use contraceptives you are more inclined to absorb these vitamins more rapidly and you will need to increase your dosage.

You may get B vitamins from molasses, potatoes, bananas, fish, turkey, liver, liver oil and nutritional yeast. However B Vitamins can also increase the energy levels in some individuals and so you should consider taking them for a week or more and specifically two hours before bedtime in order to determine how your body responds to it.

Calcium

Calcium relaxes you and is necessary for blissful sleep. The smallest hint of calcium deficiency will lead to stiff muscles and insomnia. Calcium can be found in dairy products, nuts, oranges, broccoli, eggshells and some fortified food or beverages. This is best taken with Magnesium and Vitamin D since both are necessary for effective absorption.

Magnesium

If your magnesium levels falls below that which is necessary then it will negatively affect your central nervous system. Magnesium can be found in grains, molasses and kelp.

Copper and Iron

There is evidence of a direct correlation between copper and iron deficiencies and insomnia. However it is important that you do not take more than the required dosage as this will have adverse effects.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that sends a message to the brain that it is dark and time for bed. Some physicians however, are reluctant to prescribe it because it functions as a hormone but there is currently no proof that taking it is harmful. Nevertheless, you should take it in low doses and desist from taking it on a regular basis.