Most people don’t really think about sleep. Many are just
comfortable with getting the minimum hours of sleep during the week, and probably many more are willing to deprive themselves of much needed sleep because there’s just so much to do.
However, this is a very big problem, as sleep isn’t just need
ed by the mind, it’s also an important part of how the body rejuvenates and repairs itself.
This is the reason why products like melatonin dietary supplements are necessary to keep your body healthy by providing you with the best sleep possible.
The Science of Sleep
We all know the problems that we can run into if we lack proper sleep, at least when it comes to our mental functions. We become irritable, we have bad judgment, and we usually have worsening mental focus the longer we postpone getting some proper restorative sleep.
However, did you know that sleep is also an important par
t of proper exercise activities and working out? Here are some of the reasons why:
1) Heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with proper sleep– and this isdirectly tied into how cholesterol and blood pressure levels go up the more you don’t sleep.
2) Sleeping well is known to reduce the levels of inflammation in your body, which can help your body recover faster from your workouts.
3) It is no secret that proper sleep can make you more alert. When you’reworking out, that last thing you need is to be unmindful of what’s going on in the gym, as you can get into training accidents rather easily with something as simple as a dropped weight (ouch!).
4) Memory consolidation happens when you sleep – this is when your mind decides to reorder your memories of the day, discarding what isn’t important, and retaining what is. If you work out, you know that you need to have your memory at peak, so you’ll have no problem remembering your repetitions and sets.
5) Contrary to what some people think, sleep actually helps you lose weight, not gain it. The reason for this is that proper sleep helps the body balance its own hormones and metabolic chemicals correctly, making for a more efficient biochemical energy exchange. As if it can’t get any worse, lack of sleep or disrupted sleep also affects the chemicals that govern appetite – if you sleep less, you want to eat more. That’s certainly not any good if you’re working out to stay in shape.
6) Finally, sleep is the best time for your body to repair itself, from ultraviolet light exposure, to repairing all the micro-tears that happen to your muscles when you work out. That’s because all the protein molecules that are the building blocks for your cells are usually released in large quantities by your body while you are asleep.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone that is found in the body, however, it is usually made synthetically when produced commercially. It is known as a way to shift the body’s internal clock, and was originally used for people who were suffering from jet lag. Later on, it would be used by people who needed to adjust their work hours, particularly those who worked through the night. It has even been used to establish a day and night cycle for blind people.
All this is possible as melatonin is a signaling chemical for the body, as it tells the body that it is time to sleep. It’s no surprise that the body produces more melatonin at night. It is thought that most sleeping disorders are caused by a low level of melatonin in the body.
Melatonin supplements are also in treating insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and some of the insomniac symptoms of people with ADHD. In all, if a certain medical drug or health concern is interfering with normal sleep patterns, melatonin is used to reestablish proper sleep patterns.
How do I take Optimum Nutrition Melatonin supplements?
The common way of taking melatonin is that it should be used around an hour before you decide to sleep. However, it’s a good idea to observe how your body reacts to different times of taking sleeping pills and similar supplements before you sleep, so you can eventually find the best schedule for taking them.
Do be aware, though, that melatonin, while it is a popular ingredient in nutrition supplements, does have some important rules for use.
1) If you’re already taking sedatives or other medicines that render you sleepy, then you shouldn’t use melatonin at all
2) Birth control pills, Fluvoxamine, and antidiabetes drugs all interact with melatonin in one way or the other, so it’s a good idea to check with a doctor if you are taking one of the aforementioned.
3) Caffeine and medication that decrease the immune system response are at cross purposes with the way melatonin affects the body, so it’s usually a bad idea to use melatonin in conjunction with these substances.
4) Some drugs actually break down melatonin in the body, so it’s a good idea that you should actually check any prescription drug you are taking (aside from those available over the counter) to see if they break down melatonin.
Other guidelines
If you are to use melatonin dietary supplements, you should be aware of the following:
1) Melatonin encourages a healthy sleep cycle, but is not a sedative or sleep-inducing drug in itself. What it does is signal the body for nighttime rest.
2) If you do work out, it’s a good idea to work out before dinner, as your post-exercise “high” may interfere with how the body prepares for nighttime rest. Even if you do use melatonin, it may take some time for your body to wind down.
Remember, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep, particularly if you want to have a great-looking and healthy body. Melatonin supplements just might be the best solution for a healthy sleep cycle.
