Antioxidants and Falling Asleep
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Some laboratory and clinical studies have begun to identify possible benefits from antioxidants in falling asleep and staying asleep. Improved liver function and other cellular functions have been identified as benefits. Taking a natural antioxidant supplement as a sleep aid is promising, according to recent research.
What are the ‘oxidants’ then if we are supposed to take antioxidants to get rid of them so we can sleep better, or fall asleep sooner, or get help for our insomnia? They’re called free radicals. Free radicals do a lot of things to our bodies like make us age faster. Cancer cells have also been defined as free radical cells.
As far as aging goes the theory is, if we reduce the free radicals in our system, we won’t age as fast. Most likely this appeals to everyone except maybe teenagers who are eager to look grownup.
Where do we get antioxidants? Natural antioxidants are available in some of the food we eat. Fruits, for example, have a lot of antioxidants in them. Also taking concentrated fruit extract supplements is good. The color of fruit seems to be an indicator of the amount of antioxidants. For instance, the most protective foods include those that are most colorful: grapes, pomegranates, berries, and other darkly colored fruits. These are high phenolic, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin (“PAC”) enriched antioxidants. The rich colors can signify potent capabilities, but color is not always necessary for strength.
Procidin, a fruit extract, is being studied by researchers at Tharos Laboratories, Inc. They are testing its ability to strengthen the immune system and ward off the degenerative process related with oxidation. Ingesting the extracts in a supplement form is more convenient, more bio-available and less caloric than drinking large quantities of juice, and might help promote healthy sleep. (Although there are opposing theories that say we should consume the whole fresh fruit for the most holistic benefit and that extracting the active ingredient is not as safe nor as effective.)
The antioxidants in fruit are healthful for enhancing cardiovascular function and preventing age-related deterioration. Think of antioxidants as roving policemen who neutralize the floating free radicals that cause deteriorations of tissues and even wrinkles on your skin. Having oxidants in your body is somewhat analogous to iron rusting or food rotting.
Smokers particularly, or highly-stressed individuals, can benefit greatly from antioxidants in food or in supplements. They can help in fighting chronic illnesses. Type A people, busy moms, and active athletes, find that antioxidants rebuild stressed body functions. People with sleep problems and sleep disorders can also benefit from these antioxidants. The theory may be that if the body is not busy fighting free radicals to stay alive, it can relax and fall asleep sooner and sleep more soundly. And of course it would mean better health and longer life. So it might be worth considering taking antioxidants as sleep aids.
To further persuade us in an anti-oxidant taking direction, the Director of Anti-aging Research at the National Institutes of Health, Richard Cutler, MD said, “The amount of antioxidants that you maintain in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live.”
From an article in Sleep & Health April 2004
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