
Poor Sleep? It Could KILL You!
Noticing the bags under her eyes, I asked Melinda how she was sleeping.
“Not too bad,” she said.
“What does ‘not too bad’ mean,” I asked?
“I get at least six hours a night,” she said.
And that seems like a reasonable answer in a world of computers and phones that keep us connected to all the bad news in the world – not to mention worrying about the people you love.
But six hours is NOT enough sleep for Melinda OR anyone!
In fact, not getting enough sleep could KILL you.
Most people know that not sleeping feels awful.
The next day your mind is a mess… you feel zapped of energy… and your mood is in the toilet.
But not sleeping can do a lot more damage to your health.
You see, not getting the sleep your body needs can put you at risk for many diseases and can dramatically shorten your life.
A new study by Chinese researchers shows just how bad chronic sleeplessness is for your health.
The researchers followed 480,000 people for ten years and found that people who sleep poorly increased their risk of death by 20 percent.
Interestingly, it didn’t matter if the poor sleepers had trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early – all of them died early.
People who don’t sleep well have increased risk for stroke, heart attack, and poor blood sugar control.
What is going on?
Poor sleep changes your body’s metabolic control – which makes diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure, and heart disease much more likely.
Bad sleep also increases alcohol use, smoking, cravings for sugars and carbohydrates, and drops physical activity.
A good eight hours of sleep is necessary to restore energy, refresh your immune system, and reset your heart and brain.
You can sleep better by practicing good sleep hygiene. This means going to bed at the same time every night, staying away from screens an hour before you hit the sack, sleeping in a cool and dark room.
If you need help, avoid the sleep drugs you can get at the grocery store (or prescriptions) – they only make things worse.
Try calming herbs like chamomile, passionflower, hops… and try melatonin to reset your sleep/wake cycle.

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 Free Articles
Can't Shake Negative Thoughts? Check Your GUT First
Everyone struggles sometimes to stay positive or see the bright side of things. It’s part of being human. You might think those negative thoughts start in your brain—but it’s more complicated than that. A simple change to your daily habit can help dial down those negative feelings. New research suggests that this simple strategy could...
Repair Your Gut Barrier With the “Sunshine Cure”
Happy Fourth of July! As you celebrate with sunshine, good food, and great company, don’t forget—those summer rays aren’t just lifting your spirits… they’re also working behind the scenes to protect your gut and boost your health. Your gut health is more important than most people realize. It directly affects your overall well-being—from immunity to...
The 5 Health Numbers Your Doctor Wishes You'd Track
Have you ever been told you should “advocate” for yourself when it comes to your healthcare and wondered what that really means? It’s not just a buzzword—it’s a powerful concept that empowers you to take charge of your own health journey. In fact, it could save your life. Being your own best health advocate starts...
Do THIS Every 20 Minutes to STOP Digital Eye Strain
Our eyes are under assault—they are the true victims of our current digital age. And it’s because we are constantly glued to screens… phones, tablets, computers, TVs—you name it. Unfortunately, that screen time is taking a serious toll. Digital eye strain affects millions worldwide. In fact, up to 50 percent of computer users could develop...
Mailbag: The Calcium Mistake That's Hardening Your Arteries
“What type of calcium is best to take with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis? I know some varieties can build up in arteries. Thanks for the help.” —Bone Builder Hi Builder, When a patient asks me about calcium, I ask them a peculiar question in return… “Ever wonder how elephants and giraffes build and maintain their massive...
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...