8 An increased dependence on quick to prepare processed foods has also resulted in decreased magnesium intake. For example, a decreased intake can occur because of magnesium depleted soil where vegetables and fruits are grown.īy some estimates, the magnesium levels in vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach have dropped 80 percent in the past 100 years. But even if you’re healthy, have a good diet, and take no medications, you could still not be taking in an optimal amount of magnesium. Some chronic diseases, like diabetes and metabolic syndrome, increase the need for magnesium, while some medications can cause low magnesium levels. Many things can contribute to a magnesium deficiency. Why is it so difficult to get adequate magnesium? adults do not meet the FDA’s Recommended Daily Intake for magnesium. According to World Health Organization statistics, as many as three out of four U.S. But, despite its importance for many aspects of health – restful sleep, muscle relaxation, heart health, bone health, nerve health, and the list goes on* – many of us consume less than optimal amounts of magnesium. When it comes to basic vitamins or minerals to help with sleep, magnesium is at the top of my list. So, let’s take a look at some things that can help you get those much needed zzzz’s. It can work the other way around too – seemingly unrelated things in your body could be affecting your sleep – the bugs in your gut, for example. A new study found that the more different strains of beneficial bacteria you have in your intestinal tract, the better your sleep quantity and quality.Disordered sleep might be associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies have shown lack of deep sleep (non-REM sleep) could be associated with the plaques and abnormal proteins in the brain associated with AD.But a recent study found it works the other way around too – inadequate sleep can increase anxiety by as much as 30 percent.
We know that if we’re anxious, we don’t sleep as well. Lack of sleep can contribute to anxiety.
Another recent study found that having a light or the TV on when sleeping was associated with a weight gain of up to 11 pounds and a 10 percent increase in body mass index over a 5 year period compared to not having a light or the TV on. 2 Oh, and if you fall asleep with the TV on, that makes things even worse. A recent study supports previous research that connects inadequate sleep with elevated cortisol, increased obesity, and other aspects of metabolic syndrome like insulin resistance. Poor sleep can contribute to weight gain.A recent study found individuals who had less than six hours of sleep per night or who woke frequently were about 30 percent more likely to have atherosclerosis compared to individuals with healthier sleep patterns. Inadequate sleep can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.New research points to a plethora of health problems associated with poor sleep.
If we didn’t get enough sleep, then we might be tired the next day but, oh well, we’d catch up later. For those of us trying to stay healthy, our focus was diet and exercise. It used to be that getting enough sleep was an afterthought.