There are numerous reasons we experience sleep issues. Melatonin, a neurotransmitter made in the brain, helps you to sleep. One of the most common reasons for a lack of melatonin is an underlying zinc deficiency, because your pineal gland needs zinc to make melatonin.
If the problem is trouble falling asleep, your patient is tired, but their brain just will not quieten or shut off, this indicates the nervous system is in sympathetic dominance—meaning your patient is always “on.”
They are tired but can’t relax or shut their mind off. This is a sure indication of mineral deficiency. Once the brain relaxes, the body will follow. Patients who snooze or doze in front of the TV but then can’t get back to sleep once they finally go to bed, often have an adrenal insufficiency.
The Link Between Organ Function and Sleep Disruption
Gallbladder issues are found in people who regularly wake between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. In two-hour intervals, the gallbladder is followed by the liver (1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.), the lungs (3:00 to 5:00 a.m.), and lastly the large intestine (5:00 to 7:00 a.m.).
If you wake up frequently throughout the night to urinate, this can be a sign in a 60+ male of enlarged prostate. This problem can also be traced to a deficient nerve flow to the bladder that results in a lack of tone. **Vitamin B—particularly B1 and B4—**allows the nerves to carry normal signals that help the bladder muscle remain toned.
If you suffer from bad dreams or night terrors, this is often a state of erratic, high-voltage nerve activity in the brain and is caused by a general nutritional insufficiency. Eliminate sugary snacks before bed. Remind yourself not to drink alcohol several hours before bed—there’s a difference between sleeping and passing out!
Healthy Sleep Habits That Improve Brain and Body Function
No electronics in the bedroom, and physical exercise encourages the body to want to relax.
Benefits of healthy sleep and health research have confirmed a range of advantages from good sleep quality, including:
- Stronger immunity
- Healthy body weight
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Your body produces extra protein molecules while you’re sleeping. These molecules help your immune system mend your body at a cellular level. This helps to strengthen your ability to fight infection and stay healthy.
How Deep Rest Impacts Stress, Aging, and Mental Health
A good night’s sleep can help lower blood pressure and reduce elevated levels of stress hormones. High blood pressure can produce wear and tear on your body and degenerate cells, which accelerates aging.
When insomnia becomes a chronic issue, studies have shown it can lead to long-term mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
Functions of sleep include:
- Rejuvenating our body and renewing energy through self-detoxification
- Recharging the immune system and repairing any physical damage
- Helping the brain process and store experiences
- Promoting growth, enhancing memory, sharpening the mind
- Stabilizing emotions and slowing the aging process