Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia

One of the chronic insomnia symptoms
is weight gain as it hinders the production
of growth hormones that burn fats.

Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia occurs when you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, wake often during the night, wake very early in the morning and not able to get back to sleep. It is a sleep that is inadequate, unrefreshing and unfulfilling.

This is a very common sleep disorder that affects everybody at one time or another in their life. If you have a chronic problem with getting to sleep, you should get evaluated by a sleep disorders specialist.

But if you are troubled by a short period of sleepless nights, probably undergoing stress, then proper nutrition may help you get that good night's sleep.

As sleep patterns change, older people may awaken more during their sleep. These are normal and may not necessarily be insomnia. Deep sleep produces growth hormone which lessen as we age.

On the other hand, babies who consistently wake up in the night for no apparent reason may be suffering from "cow's milk insomnia".

A study showed that some substances in milk may stimulate the infants' nervous systems, keeping their brains alert, or trigger an allergic reaction that makes them restless.

If you suspect your child might have this insomnia, put him/her on a diet free of cow's milk and see if it made any difference.

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Symptoms of Insomnia

A lack of proper sleep has been associated with weight gain as it hinders the secretion of growth hormones that are necessary to burn fats and build lean muscle mass of the youth.

Insomnia promotes irritability, fatigue during waking hours, problems with concentration, memory, lacking zest and energy.

Lack of sleep has been known to accelerate health deterioration in more ways than we can imagine. If you are going through prolonged periods of sleepless nights, seek help immediately to stop your body wasting away.

Causes of Insomnia

There are many causes of insomnia and each night that you cannot sleep may be of different reasons.

Common causes are stress, worry, overwork, sleeping at inappropriate times, jet lag, stimulants, drugs, alcohol, nicotine, toxicity of the blood, or simply poor nutrition.

Longer-term insomnia may be caused by anxiety, depression, menopause, grief, medications, diseases, blood toxicity and poor nutrition.

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Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions

In dealing with insomnia, try to identify the causes of your problem and eliminate it or reduce it where possible.

Avoid foods that contain tyramine which stimulates the brain. Foods like bacon, cheese, chocolate, eggplant, sugar, potatoes, sausages, spinach, tomatoes. Eat these foods earlier in the day, if you must.
Some swear that warm milk before bedtime promotes sleep, but this is not true for all. Some gets more alert, but follow your body dictates if it helps you to get that much needed sleep.
Eat a larger lunch if you must, rather than stuffing yourself with an eight-course dinner late in the evening, something that my people are very fond of doing.
Avoid stimulants like caffeine, nicotine or alcohol.
Regular exercise can help improve sleep quality if not done too close to bedtime
Improve on your dietary intake by taking more fruits and vegetables, especially those with high contents of vitamin Bs.
Calcium and magnesium have a tranquilizing effect that may help. These can be found in seeds, nuts, root and green leafy vegetables.
Increase intake of foods with complex carbohydrates and natural sugars that give you that extra help. Foods like apricots, bananas, legumes, brown rice and honey all help serotonin production.

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Recommended Recipes for Insomnia

Carrot

watercress

Watercress

The starch and complex carbohydrates in carrot help serotonin production that can help promote sleep. The amino acids in watercress help the production of growth hormones that are depleted in people suffering from insomnia.

Watercress tastes peppery and pungent and is rather potent, so use only a small handful. You may also eliminate it and juice only carrots. Use two medium-sized carrots. Mix with a little water to dilute.

Beets

Celery

The starch and complex carbohydrates in beetroot help serotonin production that can help promote sleep. Celery has a calming effect on the central nervous system, so makes a good tonic for insomniacs.

Juice a small beet and two ribs of celery. Tastes great.

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Apple

Grapefruit

orange

Orange

The natural sugars and carbohydrates in these fruits have a tranquilizing effect that help insomniacs.

Juice a medium-sized apple with half a grapefruit or a medium-sized orange. Simple to make and tastes yummy.

bean sprouts

Bean Sprouts

cauliflower

Cauliflower

lettuce

Lettuce

Bean sprouts and cauliflower are a good source of the B vitamins that are necessary for insomnia sufferers. Lettuce contains natural opiates which have a mild sedative effect and is calming to the nerves and muscles.

Juice either bean sprouts or cauliflower with lettuce. Lettuce tastes a bit strong, so mix your juice with some raw honey, diluted in water and drink before bedtime.

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InsomniaOne of the chronic insomnia symptomsis weight gain as it hinders the productionof growth hormones that burn fats.

Insomnia

One of the chronic insomnia symptoms
is weight gain as it hinders the production
of growth hormones that burn fats.