How to Sleep Well & Beat Insomnia

Over the counter drugs for sleep disorders can result in increased stomach permeability, ulcers, and can contribute to increased liver toxicity and over load.

Our sleep remedies are the best sleep aid natural alternatives that do not have any of these side effects, yet are as effective or more so, and lead to a more natural sleep of better quality that leaves you more energized during the day. 

Which of the sleep remedies below is right for you? 5-HTP, Melatonin and Valerian are three of the best, safest, and most natural sleep remedies. Folic Acid, Hawthorne and St Johns Wort are generally used for other ailments but patients have reported better sleep with them so we have included them for completeness, and of course a general multivitamin will add many of the trace elements needed for better sleep (try our complete one multivitamin).

There are many causes of insomnia and each requires a different sleep remedy. So it really comes down to testing which is best for you. We have an all-in-one Sleep Aid which combines all most of the most effective solutions plus many more complementary elements that appear to work synergistically and may be the fastest way to enjoy peaceful sleep.

Sleep Aid Formula

Our Sleep Aid Formula capsules combine L-Tryptophan, Melatonin and Valerian, with Inositol, Chamomile, Magnesium, along with Niacin and Vitamin C for a synergistic boost.

5 HTP

One cause of sleeplessness may be due to a lack of Serotonin the natural sleep-inducing hormone.  Serotonin levels can be increased by taking a natural amino acid derivative called 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) which is converted into serotonin in the brain. Serotonin also enhances the brain's ability to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates your body's sleep patterns.

5-HTP is the final metabolic precursor to serotonin so it is 5 to 10 times more effective than L-Tryptophan and may be a safe, natural and inexpensive solution to the symptoms of serotonin deficiency syndrome with people reporting improvements in insomnia, depression, anxiety, migraine, weight loss and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Several double-blind studies have shown that 5-HTP decreases the time needed to fall asleep and reduced the number of night time awakenings.

5-HTP also increases REM sleep by about twenty-five percent while simultaneously increasing deep-sleep without increasing total sleep time.

5-HTP has produced significant improvements in people with Serotonin Deficiency Syndrome including insomnia, depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

The sedative effects of 5-HTP can be increased by taking it with a food high in carbohydrate before sleep.

Valerian

Valerian is a herb that has been used since ancient Greece. It is still used as an agent to soothe the nervous system in response to stress as well as an inducer of restful sleep.

Although other agents have been introduced in recent years which offer similar benefits, Valerian is still one of the most popular herbal preparations on the market and is widely used throughout Europe. 

Valerian may support healthy relaxation and relieve anxiety, be useful for relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal system and may support restful sleep

Valerian is not as strong as some prescription sleep medications; however one advantage of valerian is that it does not have the severe day after hangover effect on mental or physical functioning.  Another is that people taking sleeping pills often have a temporary worsening of insomnia when they discontinue use, an effect that is not reported with valerian. 

Melatonin

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the brain by the pineal gland. The release and synthesis of melatonin are suppressed by light and stimulated by darkness; this suggests melatonin plays an integral role in circadian rhythms (biochemical, physiological or behavioral processes based on a 24 hour cycle) affective sleep and alertness.

Melatonin has been described as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant due to its ability to easily cross cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Certain trials have demonstrated melatonin’s ability to prevent damage to DNA by some carcinogens as well as protect against immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

As research continues to uncover melatonin’s many health giving benefits, it is most widely known for its sleep promoting and as an aid in recovery from jet lag.

While melatonin supplementation is an effective natural aid to for better sleep and to combat depression, it can be counterproductive and disrupt the PRC when taken in large doses; for instance, 3mg of melatonin would be better utilized in the body as opposed to a 20mg dosage. Our Sustained Release Melatonin 3mg has been formulated to steadily release melatonin and ensure availability throughout the night to promote a constant and restful sleep.