(NaturalPath) A study out of the University of Alabama sought to see if any nutritional changes would help to make individuals sleep better. Everyone knows that adequate sleep is necessary for optimal health. It has been linked to mental health, physical activity and overall quality of life and plays an important role in metabolic and emotional regulation, memory consolidation, brain recuperation processes, and learning according to the researchers.
Many people do not get this adequate sleep and turn to sleep aids that have deleterious effects on individuals. Some non-pharmacologic treatments exist and include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, sleep hygiene/psychoeducation, herbal extracts and physical activity. Nutrition may be able to be added to that list.
The researchers conducted an analysis of several databases to draw conclusions from for the study.
There were 17 in vivo trials and according to the researchers eight of them suggested improvement in at least one primary outcome of interest including four that applied mixed composition meals, two that focused on manipulating carbohydrates, and two that focused on manipulating protein. Most of the in vivo trials strictly controlled the timing of the experimental meals to determine their potential effect on sleep.
The conclusion of the study is that diet does play a role in synthesizing neurotransmitters involved in the sleep-wake cycle and should offer a treatment benefit in helping those with inadequate sleep. However, the researchers find that the role of nutrition as a treatment option for sleep has not been clearly demonstrated by intervention research.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
