The Surprising Missing Link Behind Insomnia

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 14, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Is there anything more frustrating than insomnia?

You climb into your bed, crawl under your cozy covers, and switch off the light ready to get a restful night’s sleep. But instead insomnia shows up to crash the party. Suddenly sleep is downright IMPOSSIBLE.

If you battle insomnia you’ve probably already tried a bunch of so-called sleep solutions to try to get a little shuteye. From over-the-counter sleep aids to sleep masks and prescription drugs. Name it and you’ve given it a go.

Yet nothing works.

But what if your sleeplessness isn’t ever going to be solved by popping prescription pills or trying out new gadgets because they don’t address the REAL problem?

Research suggests that insomnia could be caused by THIS odd health condition.

I’m talking about simple nutritional deficiencies.

Not getting enough shuteye leaves you feeling restless, irritable, and in a fog. But even worse, it can have serious long-term effects on your health.

Studies show that we trace a bunch of serious health conditions to not getting enough beauty rest, including high blood pressure, anxiety, weak immunity, depression, mood swings, dementia, and weight gain.

But now we may finally know the REAL reason for your sleepless nights.

It turns out there’s a good chance the trigger behind your sleepless nights could be as simple as not getting enough of certain vitamins. Nutritional deficiencies are much more common than you would think.

In fact, it’s estimated that close to 80 percent of us are missing at least one crucial vitamin or mineral in our diet (and most of us are missing more than just that one).

Following are the vitamins most likely to rob you of your precious sleep if you don’t have enough.

• Vitamin C. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruits and peppers. It’s one of the most potent antioxidants, and it can calm inflammation, support your immune system, and build strong bones and teeth. According to a study published in 2009, 100 mg of vitamin C along with 400 IU of vitamin E was linked to a reduction of sleep apnea (a disruptive sleep disorder that causes snoring and gasping for air).
• Vitamin B6. Your body needs the brain chemicals melatonin and serotonin for good sleep, but without enough vitamin B6, you can’t produce these vital sleep hormones.
• Vitamin E. You probably know how important vitamin E is for healthy skin and hair. But you may not know how necessary this nutrient is for sound sleep. Vitamin E is also great for your brain because it helps to prevent memory loss and cognitive decline.
• Vitamin D. You know this nutrient as the sunshine vitamin that helps keep your bones strong, but it does MUCH more than that. Vitamin D helps regulate mood and prevent inflammation. There is also growing research that this nutrient can help with sleep as well. Vitamin D deficiency has even been linked to shorter sleep duration.

The best way to get these nutrients is to make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet and taking a daily multivitamin to fill in any gaps.

P.S. Still not sleeping well? Try this remedy that’s hidden right in your very own backyard.

SOURCE:

Singh TD, Patial K, Vijayan VK, Ravi K. Oxidative stress and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 2009 Oct-Dec;51(4):217-24. Erratum in: Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 2010 Apr-Jun;52(2):126. Dosage error in published abstract; MEDLINE/PubMed abstract corrected. PMID: 20073373.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND