Health News

Beating the Winter Blues: How Low Serotonin in Winter Affects Mood

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter essential for mood regulation. Produced within the body, this chemical messenger performs a variety of tasks, impacting mood, health and overall well-being in numerous ways. Serotonin levels can dip during the winter months, impacting mood and feelings of well-being. Boosting intake of serotonin in winter can help you to avoid the winter blues.

Causes of Decreased Serotonin in Winter

People tend to get less sunlight during the winter months. The shorter days leave less opportunity to collect a few rays during the normal course of the daily routine. This can impact both the production and transport of serotonin in the body, due to the impact light has on the function of tryptophan and serotonin.

The amino acid tryptophan is a key element in the production of serotonin, both of which are classified as indoleamines; substances whose functions are impacted by light. With the decrease of sunlight that is a natural part of the winter landscape, paying extra attention to maintaining serotonin levels can play an important part in feeling your best during this time of year.

Light also impacts the efficiency of serotonin utilization and transport via the protein responsible for deactivating and recycling serotonin in the brain. Concentrations of this protein have been shown to vary by season.

Cooler temperatures often lead to a reduction of outdoor activities and, for many, decreased physical activity in general. That can be bad for serotonin levels because physical activity helps increase blood levels of the tryptophan necessary for serotonin production.

Serotonin Levels Impact Mood and Well-Being

Many are familiar with the role of serotonin in supporting mood and its potential to help ease symptoms of seasonal and other types of depression. However, that’s not all that serotonin does. In fact, serotonin plays a role in the regulation of a number of physical processes, such as blood clotting. It serves as an important partner in the functioning of the central nervous system and the digestive system. So, while lower serotonin in winter can impact mood, memory and mental health, it can also have a significant impact on physical health and well-being.

Ways to Boost Serotonin Levels During Winter

There are several ways to promote healthy serotonin levels during the winter. Engaging in one or more of these can help to ensure your serotonin levels remain adequate, preserving both mental health and overall well-being through the winter months.

Be More Light-Conscious

With our modern lifestyles, we don’t get the same amount of sunlight our agriculturally focused forefathers did. This is especially true in the winter months. The quality of light we are exposed to has also changed with our shift to artificial light.

Spend at least half an hour outside daily, preferably in the morning sun. Don’t skip the cloudy days, though. Even with cloud cover, there’s still beneficial light to be had. Try to increase natural light use indoors. Use candles and if you have a fireplace, use it. Consider using incandescent or amber-colored bulbs during the winter.

Consume Foods That Aid Serotonin Production

Support serotonin levels via diet by consuming foods rich in tryptophan and by choosing healthy carbohydrates to facilitate the serotonin production process. While turkey may be the most famous tryptophan-rich food, there are plenty of others to choose from. Eggs, tofu, fatty fish, like salmon and tuna, seeds and nuts are all rich in tryptophan. Furthermore, they’re all packed with valuable nutrients that are vital to overall physical health and cognitive function. Despite the best dietary intentions, almost everybody falls short when it comes to obtaining optimum nutrition via the daily diet. Taking a supplement designed to support healthy serotonin production and utilization, like Tryptochron, during the winter months can be helpful.

Chemical reactions are at the heart of most body and brain processes, and the production of serotonin is no different. During the winter, people often crave carbohydrate-heavy comfort foods. These cravings are related to the decrease of serotonin in the body and the important role carbohydrates play in its production.

Carbohydrate consumption sets insulin in motion to clear other amino acids from the bloodstream, leaving tryptophan free to move to the brain to produce serotonin. Choose nutritionally dense carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes and nuts. Your body needs certain nutrients to feel your best, especially during winter.

Reduce Stress and Promote Relaxation

Take an active role in feeling good. Reducing stress is important because stress increases levels of the hormone cortisol, which impedes serotonin production. Meditate, get a massage, exercise and try to make adjustments to your daily routine to address the causes of stress in your life.

Try to shift your way of thinking to enjoy more positive thoughts and emotions. Carve out time to socialize with positive, uplifting people. Develop enjoyable, productive hobbies that make you feel accomplished. Be a force for good in your world via volunteer work and helping others. Be deliberately grateful for what you have. Such actions have been shown to help increase serotonin production.

Don’t Let Winter Defeat You

Knowing what the problem is, according to the old adage, is half the battle. However, half a battle isn’t a win. Using what you know is what gets the win. There are a wide range of ways to help boost winter serotonin production and support mood, overall health and well-being. Experiment and find what works best for you. However, balance is essential. Too much serotonin can as disruptive to well-being as too little, so always discuss major changes in health, lifestyle, mood and cognitive function with your health care provider.

“Happy Hormone” Serotonin Regulates Impulse Control and Patience

Dec 10 by Ewcopywriting

Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that affects brain activity, mood, blood platelet characteristics and bowel functioning. Research has discovered that serotonin regulates impulse control and patience, suggesting that struggles with either of these could be related to low serotonin levels.

What is Serotonin?

Depending on how serotonin is used by the body, it can act as either a neurotransmitter or a hormone. It works by helping nerve cells communicate with one another and, in this way, allows the brain to regulate mood and emotional health. Serotonin also promotes communication between the brain and the gut in regard to regulating appetite and the digestive process.

Serotonin is produced in both the gut and in the brain. It must be produced in two places because it is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Because the serotonin needed by the brain to regulate mood must be present in the brain itself, serotonin can’t be taken directly in supplement form for this purpose. The only way to boost serotonin production in the brain is by ingesting the raw materials the brain needs for healthy serotonin production.

Once ingested from food or in the form of a supplement, serotonin makes its way to the gut or the large intestines. From there, it can be used by blood platelets and it can also be absorbed into the central nervous system. This allows serotonin to perform roles other than those it plays in the brain. For example, previous research suggests that serotonin in the body plays a role in protecting against degenerative diseases. Conditions such as bone loss may be prevented or slowed by the presence of serotonin in the gut.

New Research Finds Serotonin Regulates Impulse Control and Patience

Looking more closely at how serotonin affects brain activity, new research has found that serotonin regulates impulse control and patience. In the study, it was found that two distinct areas of the brain work together to regulate patience and, in particular, to enable impulse control. The key element in this process is serotonin, which allows these areas of the brain to communicate with one another.

In a previous joint study conducted by New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, researchers noted a deficiency in serotonin in mice who exhibited poor impulse control. This earlier research led to a more focused study on exactly how the brain controls impulsive behavior and promotes patience in responding to stimuli. The second study was conducted in Japan and focused on three specific areas of the brain, which, when traumatized, result in an inability to avoid impulsive behaviors. For that reason, the researchers believe patience and impulse control are managed in one or more of these areas.

The study involved measuring the release of serotonin in mice as they were exposed to photostimulation. To allow researchers to measure responses, fiber optics were inserted into the NAc (nucleus accumbens), the OFC (orbitofrontal cortex) and the mPFC (medial prefrontal cortex) of each mouse’s brain. Some of the mice received light stimulation that promoted serotonin production when they received food, while mice in another group received no stimulation.

When the OFC or DRN (dorsal raphe nucleus) areas of the brain were stimulated, the mice showed greater impulse control. However, stimulating the NAc area resulted in little to no changes in patience exhibited by the mice. Stimulating the mPFC region also enhanced patience and impulse control, but only when the mice were not anticipating their meal.

As a result of these findings, the researchers believe serotonin helps increase patience only when the mice knew a reward would come at some point, but did not know how long it would take. The researchers also concluded that serotonin plays an important role in controlling aggressive behavior.

By helping to isolate the areas of the brain that are affected by serotonin stimulation, this study may initiate future studies with the intention of developing a serotonin-based treatment for bi-polar disorder and other emotional health illnesses.

How Can You Boost Serotonin Naturally?

Change Your Diet

You can help your brain to produce more serotonin by changing the foods you eat. While eating foods that contain serotonin does not boost serotonin levels in the brain, eating foods rich in an amino acid called tryptophan can promote serotonin production.

Tryptophan is pushed through the blood-brain barrier when it’s eaten with high carb foods. Once in the brain, tryptophan is used by the brain to produce serotonin. Examples of foods rich in tryptophan include turkey, chicken, nuts, seeds, dairy products, tuna and salmon.

If you find it hard to consume enough tryptophan-rich foods, a high-quality supplement that provides tryptophan along with other serotonin precursors like 5-HTP can also help promote healthy serotonin levels in the brain.

Expose Yourself to More Sunlight

Your body runs on a biological clock called the circadian rhythm. When your brain perceives daylight, it will begin releasing serotonin to promote energy. This is why people who stay indoors most of the day feel fatigued or tired. You should get at least one hour of daylight each morning to help reset your circadian rhythm.

Do More Cardio

As you exercise, your body and brain produce more tryptophan as well as other amino acids that are essential in the production of serotonin. Cardio exercises are especially effective in causing your brain to produce more serotonin, so try to fit in brisk walking, jogging, swimming or bicycling each day. By engaging in a variety of these exercises, you’ll work out more muscle groups in addition to helping your brain produce more serotonin.

5 Tips for a Heart-Healthy Holiday Season

Dec 04 by Ewcopywriting

Cardiac incidents, including heart attacks, typically increase during the holidays. Dr. Christopher Cutitta, a St. Luke’s University Health Network cardiologist, points to a variety of factors contributing to this unfortunate seasonal heart health trend. These factors include changes in diet and nutrition, disruption of health routines and holiday-related stress. Help keep your holiday season happy by giving your heart health the extra support it needs with these heart-healthy holiday tips.

Moderation Is The Key

The temptation to overindulge in holiday treats, such as sweets and foods high in fat and sodium can be hard to resist. However, there is a difference between the occasional indulgence and overindulging. Putting on weight during the holiday season is easy when overindulgence becomes a pattern. Instead, take a mindful approach to holiday eating. Enjoy every bite, but be firmly guided by the principle of moderation. By spending your calories wisely and developing good portion control skills, you can still enjoy holiday treats.

That Also Applies To Alcohol

Moderation also applies to alcohol intake. Getting together with family and friends can easily result in drinking more than usual. Aside from increasing calorie intake, overindulging in alcohol can contribute to what is often termed holiday heart syndrome. The term is used to describe the atrial fibrillation and heart arrhythmia associated with heavier drinking and binge drinking patterns.

That fast or irregular heartbeat connected to drinking in excess can lead to more serious cardiac incidents in people already facing heart health challenges. A domino effect of one problem leading to the next can take place, resulting in a serious cardiac event. It’s better to limit drinking during the holidays because this season already has a lot of heart-health-impacting factors at play. For a heart-healthy holiday, stay hydrated by substituting water for some, if not most or all, alcoholic drinks.

Don’t Slack on Nutrition

Diet and nutrition are critical elements of heart health. During the holiday season, it can be all too tempting to overindulge on holiday treats. That can easily result in eating less of the nutritionally sound, real food best for heart health, even when practicing moderation with holiday eating. Rather than fall short nutritionally, consider adding nutritional supplements to your holiday season routine. Those already facing heart-health challenges and those with a higher than average risk of developing heart problems may want to consider supplements that specifically promote heart health.

Look for a high-quality, science-based supplement that promotes cardiac system health via essential heart-health nutrients. These include all of the B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, the L-amino acids, lycopene and biotin, along with other nutrients, all in just the right balance. Ensuring proper nutrition is a smart decision for helping protect heart health at any time of year, but can be especially important during the holiday season.

Maintain Healthy Routines

With all of the holiday preparations and events, healthy routines are often disrupted. People traveling to visit family and friends may forget to pack cardiac medications. In the hustle and bustle of the season, some forget to take essential heart medications at the usual times. Winter weather plus the holiday season can disrupt exercise habits, reducing physical activity.

For optimum heart health, and a heart-healthy holiday season in particular, it’s important to maintain healthy routines. If family or friends visiting has led to skipping the gym, slip in some extra physical activity daily. Show off your local parks to your visitors and get everybody out walking. Give the dog an extra walk and make it a brisk one. Find or create a simple home work out to do. Make sure that you don’t allow your sleep schedule to be overly disrupted.

Utilize Stress Management Strategies

Time pressures, money worries, emotionally stressful family gatherings and coping with the loss of a loved one are just a sampling of the stress that can be heightened during the holiday season. Stress is a major player in heart health, so learning to manage it in healthy ways is essential. Stress can impact heart health in two ways: directly, through the production of stress hormones like cortisone, and indirectly via your actions, like drinking or eating unhealthy comfort foods to alleviate stress.

Good nutrition and exercise help alleviate stress in ways that promote health. Meditation is another effective means. Developing concrete skills to target the sources of stress can be highly effective in reducing holiday stress. For example, developing time management skills can help increase productivity and reduce lateness, thereby reducing stress. Learning conflict resolution skills and strategies can help with difficult family situations.

Emotionally-based stress related to grieving can be trickier to navigate. However, helping others through meaningful volunteer work is often very helpful, turning focus outward and reducing the opportunity to dwell on one’s own pain and loss by helping others. The holiday season can be especially lonely for many people, so even something as simple as visiting seniors in nursing homes can make a real difference.

Take It One Choice At A Time

As Dr. Elizabeth Klodas points out, better heart health is made up of a multitude of small choices. For a more heart-healthy holiday season, continuously strive to make more great choices than poor ones, indulging wisely while enjoying the season and the people you share it with.

New Dementia Research Identifies Previously Unknown Risk Factors

Dec 02 by Ewcopywriting

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be an excruciating experience for everyone involved. This debilitating condition robs a person of mental faculties as it gets progressively worse. It is no surprise that scientists continue to pour an abundance of resources into cracking the code for dementia. Now, a variety of new dementia research is helping to shed a little light on risk factors for developing this form of progressive cognitive decline.

What is Dementia?

Dementia describes a cluster of symptoms that affect cognition, memory and social interaction to the extent that one’s daily life is disrupted. There are various types of dementia. The most common types of progressive dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia and frontotemporal disorders. It is estimated that 15-20 percent of individuals over the age of 65 suffer from some type of mild cognitive impairment. This type of mild impairment is often a precursor to more formal types of diagnosed dementia.

It is uncertain as to why confirmed cases of dementia have more than doubled in the last 25 years. In 1990, there were 20.2 million confirmed cases of this mental health malady. By 2016, this number had spiked to 43.8 million. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 60-70 percent of all dementia cases.

It is important to note that dementia is different than the normal cognitive decline that comes with growing older. It should also be noted that not all people who experience mild cognitive impairment as they age go on to develop dementia. Some individuals may even see relief from the symptoms of this impairment in their later years.

Examining the New Dementia Research on Blood Biomarkers

Because dementia cannot be reversed, medical researchers have increasingly focused on learning how to predict a person’s chances of developing the condition so that they can discover drugs to aggressively treat it before it takes hold.

One of the most promising developments to come out of this proactive research is the discovery of the blood biomarker asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). This molecule circulates in the blood and reduces the amount of nitric oxide that is synthesized by particular cells that are present in the blood vessel lining.

Scientists now know that low levels of nitric oxide are connected to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Further studies have also demonstrated a connection between high concentrations of ADMA and resulting cognitive decline.

Does Neighborhood Noise Contribute to the Onset of Dementia?

Although the new dementia research surrounding blood biomarkers clearly relates to a biological factor, there are also environmental factors that may play a part in increasing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A new study shows that older adults living in noisy neighborhoods may be at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease or other subsets of dementia as they age.

The study examined the dementia rates of people living on the south side of Chicago. What they found was that older adults who were subjected to 10 A-weighted decibels more noise during the daytime hours experienced a 36 percent higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment. This same group also demonstrated a 29 percent higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists believe that this elevated risk can be attributed to disruptions in sleep patterns that may affect overall health. Another explanation is that noise pollution may accelerate the body’s production of beta-amyloid, a protein known to contribute to Alzheimer’s.

How to Maintain Cognitive Health as You Age

Although there is nothing definitive that you can do to prevent dementia, there are things that you can do now to stave off natural cognitive decline as you age. Here are a few steps that you can take to protect your mind as you get older.

Exercise

In addition to keeping your body functioning at optimal levels, maintaining a regular exercise routine as you get older can also deliver protection to your brain and memory function.

Proper Diet

Doctors have long touted the benefit of a Mediterranean-style diet as a tool to slow down the progression of dementia. This diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, olive oil, whole grains, beans, nuts and moderate amounts of fish, lean poultry and dairy products.

Social Connections

While it is admirable to want to take care of your health through exercise, diet and getting quality sleep each night, how you feed your soul with relationships also has a profound effect on your mental health. Being diligent about engaging in social activities and fostering meaningful connections with others will make you less likely to experience cognitive decline.

Mental Stimulation

In addition to nurturing your mind through social connections, you can also stimulate your brain through mental exercises. Research has demonstrated a link between mental exercises and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Good activities to stretch your brain include reading, doing puzzles, playing card games and listening to music.

Supplements

Finally, taking a high-quality dietary supplement that supports cognitive health will promote healthy brain function and go a long way towards giving your body what it needs to keep your mental acuity intact for as long as possible.

While this new dementia research does not offer a cure or treatment for the disease, it does help scientists to understand some of the reasons why an individual may develop this condition. The more that is learned about this dreadful disease, the greater likelihood that the medical community will find ways to beat it in the future.

Thanksgiving 2020: Preserving Mental Health During the Pandemic

Nov 26 by Ewcopywriting

As the opening day of the holiday season, Thanksgiving can be stressful — even without Covid-19 concerns. The focus on family and tradition can bring up a lot of emotions, expectations and pressures. It’s no wonder so many people struggle with mental health issues during this time of year; even those that look forward to the holidays with joy and excitement. Covid-19 worries and restrictions can compound stress this Thanksgiving 2020 and make it more difficult to maintain a sense of mental well-being.

Thanksgiving 2020 Won’t Be The Same For Most

For Thanksgiving 2020, officials are urging people not to travel, to stay at home and to limit their contact with others. Some states have enacted formal limitations for gatherings. Families used to spending the holidays together must rethink their Thanksgiving plans and possibly even forego their traditional family gatherings.

CNN reports that an Axios-Ipsos poll revealed that 61 percent of Americans have made changes to their Thanksgiving plans because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases many regions are experiencing. Approximately 10 percent of those responding to the poll aren’t going to celebrate the holiday at all this year.

Potential Mental Health Consequences

The Covid-19 pandemic has come with a lot of its own stress and worry, not limited to health concerns. There’s been a serious economic impact for many, along with significant changes to daily routines. Many parents find themselves struggling to balance their children’s distance learning with their own work, a difficult scenario whether they’re working from home or still at their job sites. Uncertainty and worry have become a part of the 2020 landscape. That’s a lot for people to cope with, especially coming into the holiday season.

Being separated from loved ones during a time of year so hyper-focused on family togetherness can be difficult, increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Stress and anxiety about the health of family members that are more vulnerable to Covid-19 can feel overwhelming. Everyday worries can be heightened in such a high-stress atmosphere, making it more difficult cope with daily challenges and increasing feelings of irritation and frustration. This can all contribute to a higher risk of depression for those already struggling with mood disorders and other mental health issues.

Practical Steps To Preserve Mental Well-Being

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your mental health during this challenging time. Be proactive about shoring up the foundations of good mental health. Make sure you take the time to get enough sleep. Make a special effort to get some exercise, especially outside in the sun. Invest time in eating well.

Numerous studies demonstrate the importance of nutrition on optimum cognitive functioning and mental well-being. Be sure to get plenty of B complex vitamins, antioxidant nutrients, vitamin D, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids. Choose whole foods and avoid overly processed foods that offer little nutrition, but plenty of chemicals. Artificial colors, flavors and other food chemicals can impact mood, especially in those with chemical sensitivities.

Amino acids are also important to mental well-being. The amino acid L-tryptophan is directly involved in the production of serotonin. Foods like turkey, fatty fish, nuts, seeds and bananas provide this essential nutrient. 5-HTP is another component in the production of serotonin. Using a supplement with both L-tryptophan and 5-HTP has been shown to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your diet hasn’t been its best lately, taking this type of supplement could be a wise step to help cope with the stresses of Thanksgiving 2020. However, when using any dietary supplement, it is important to discuss it with your health care provider to make sure it won’t interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

Technology can present practical solutions for sharing Thanksgiving in a time of social distancing. Reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness by spending time together via Zoom, perhaps even sharing a holiday meal or dessert together online or getting together after the big meal to chat over coffee. You may even find that, without the usual hustle and bustle of meal prep for a crowd, you actually share more quality time than usual with relatives and friends. Make sure that elderly family members know how to use these technologies ahead of time so they can enjoy virtual get-togethers.

Be Thankful Together

Even virtually, one of the most important Thanksgiving traditions – being thankful – can still be enjoyed. In fact, gratitude has been shown to be an important part of mental and emotional well-being. Being mindfully thankful can help you to be more resilient in troubled times, can improve mental health by helping to dissipate negative emotions and can help increase empathy, all of which are useful during this Covid-19-complicated period of time. Many families take a few minutes on Thanksgiving to talk about the things they are grateful for. That’s something that can be done together this Thanksgiving 2020, even when separated by distance.

Melatonin Protects Against Free Radicals and Promotes Healthy Aging

Nov 19 by Ewcopywriting

Melatonin boasts remarkable antioxidant properties, making it a powerful tool in fighting against premature aging and the onset of disease. In short, there is no limit to the ways that melatonin can boost your overall health and well-being. Here is what you need to know about this naturally occurring hormone and how melatonin can help protect against free radicals in the body while promoting long-term health.

Understanding Free Radicals

In its most basic definition, melatonin is a hormone produced by the body’s pineal gland. The functions of melatonin are many. While most people understand that melatonin is the driving force behind the body’s sleep and wake cycles, its importance goes far beyond the regulation of sleep. While the body naturally produces melatonin, it is also possible to take a melatonin supplement to boost its natural functions.

In order to understand how melatonin protects against free radicals, you need to know what free radicals are. Also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals are compounds that form as a result of oxidation. These unstable chemical molecules are triggered as a reaction to pressures from the surrounding environment. Free radicals may occur as a result of the food that you eat, medications, irritants in drinking water and even the quality of the air you breathe. While it is normal and not unhealthy to see some free radicals in the body, too many of these compounds can accelerate the aging process. In turn, this premature aging will inevitably lead to a greater risk of disease and illness.

Free Radicals, Premature Aging and Disease

Many scientists promote the free radical theory of aging. This widely accepted theory explains how free radicals damage cells, leading to premature aging. During the younger years, the body employs a protective system known as the superoxide dismutase (SOD). This defense system keeps free radicals from inflicting too much damage on the body’s cells. However, as we age, these free radicals are able to infiltrate cells and kill them.

The presence of excessive free radicals has been blamed for numerous diseases and health conditions. Some of these include cancer, heart disease, arthritis, obesity, asthma and dementia. This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the damage that free radicals can cause.

How Melatonin Protects Against Free Radicals

In recent years, medical researchers have discovered that melatonin can protect against the infiltration of free radicals. This is due in large part to the powerful antioxidant properties of melatonin. Not only does melatonin have antioxidant properties of its own, but it also stimulates the body’s antioxidant production.

For example, the presence of melatonin and its antioxidant effects guards skeletal muscles, mitigates cellular damage, boosts total antioxidant capacity and shields the body from the overall dangers of oxidative stress By neutralizing free radicals in the body, antioxidants like melatonin can also boost overall health. This benefit makes melatonin a vital tool in your arsenal for fighting premature aging and disease.

How to Promote Optimal Melatonin Levels in the Body

The encouraging news is that there are a number of steps that you can take today to promote optimal melatonin levels in the body.

Avoid Looking at Blue Light in the Evening

One of the worst habits to come out of the digital revolution is the increase in the use of phones, tablets and computers at all hours of the day. The blue light emitted from these devices can disrupt the production of melatonin, making it important to avoid these devices for at least two hours prior to bedtime.

Seek Sun in the Morning

In order to boost production of melatonin in the evening, you need to increase the levels of serotonin in the morning. You can support serotonin production by exposing your body to sunlight in the morning.

Eat Foods Rich in Melatonin

Melatonin can also be found in many of the foods that we eat. Eating these melatonin-rich foods a few hours before going to sleep can help to support healthy sleep cycles. Good foods to add to your diet include olives, corn, asparagus, cucumbers, pomegranate, flax seed, walnuts and rolled oats.

Go the Supplement Route

Many people swear by the use of a melatonin supplement for optimal sleep and health. These non-addictive supplements can provide a host of health benefits while also helping you to fall asleep faster at night, ensuring that you get a good night’s rest.

Being diligent about supporting melatonin function in the body can have far-reaching effects on a number of profound health functions. There is simply no reason not to learn more about how supporting healthy melatonin levels can help you to live a longer and healthier life.