The Nutrient Secret to Better Sleep
Don’t make the mistake of thinking poor sleep… or not getting ENOUGH of it … is no big deal.
Bad quality sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling groggy and gross the next day. Over time, it can play a big part in just about any MAJOR health issue you can think of.
That includes heart attack, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory issues… to name a few.
But the good news is that there’s a simple nutrient solution. In fact, in some cases, it’s been shown to DRAMATICALLY impact the quality and quantity of your sleep.
Magnesium is the definition of an overachiever. This vital mineral is involved in OVER 300 essential metabolic reactions!
The workhorse nutrient is involved in bone development, muscle coordination, energy production, and, of course, SLEEP. And while typically, I’m not a fan of sleep supplements, in this case, this nutrient is a no-brainer with no significant downsides.
For example, in a study on seniors and sleep, volunteers saw significant improvements in…
- how long it took to FALL ASLEEP,
- the LENGTH of time they slept,
- their sleep QUALITY.
And another study backed those results when participants – who took magnesium – fell asleep easier, got better sleep and woke up feeling ready to take on the world.
But those aren’t the ONLY sleep benefits by a long shot. (I wasn’t kidding when I called magnesium an overachiever!)
Other research highlights the mineral’s role in boosting slow-wave sleep. This deep sleep stage is vital for necessary bodily maintenance, like repairing muscles and consolidating memories.
And magnesium reduces the stress hormone cortisol, promoting muscle relaxation (and prepping you for a good night’s sleep while it’s at it).
But as critical as magnesium obviously is, your body doesn’t make its own supply. You need to get it from your diet. And sadly, MANY folks don’t get nearly enough.
Experts estimate that a stunning 43 percent of adults in the United States aren’t getting enough magnesium. That translates to 100 million folks who are deficient.
With stats like those, there’s a good chance you’re one of them. And your deficiency risk is even HIGHER if you’re an older adult.
The good news is boosting your magnesium levels couldn’t be easier. And when you do, you can expect your sleep quality to skyrocket too.
Add more dark leafy greens, whole grains, beans, and pumpkin seeds to your menu to get more magnesium in your diet. And consider taking a quality magnesium supplement too.
P.S. I mentioned earlier that hard-working magnesium is involved in energy production. I wrote about how this vital mineral can help you beat fatigue. CLICK HERE for the scoop.
Source:
“Impact of Frequency of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplement Intake on Nutritional Adequacy and Nutrient Deficiencies in U.S. Adults. Nutrients.” 2017 Aug 9;9(8):849. doi: 10.3390/nu9080849. PMID: 28792457; PMCID: PMC5579642.
