Insomnia is a problem that affects as much as a quarter of the population at any given time and almost 10% on a regular basis. Insomnia affects people in different ways and has a number of causes, which makes it very difficult to treat. Not everyone has the same sleep needs – some people can get by on six hours a night while others might need ten. The definition of insomnia is highly different for each person. It all depends on how much sleep you need daily to wake up feeling refreshed.
Sleep is important and necessary. It not only provides rest, but also provides a period of recharging during which your body can heal more quickly and reset itself for the following day. It is helps both physical and mental health. A chronic lack of sleep can cause high blood pressure, weight gain, confusion, and depression. It may even make certain cases of dementia worse. Sleep is one of the many bodily functions regulated by proteins, which means adding a little protein to your diet may be just the thing to help you get those forty winks.
The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
Even one night without sleep can reduce your levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This is a protein that aids in short-term memory creation and storing new information – so a lack of sleep may lead to an inability to learn new information or retain it for any meaningful length of time. This is why staying up all night studying for a test often doesn’t really help – you’ll just forget everything you learned when exam time comes.
In fact, some physicians have noted that people who get less sleep than they need are more prone to common illnesses like colds, even if they are healthy in all other ways. Sleep will strengthen your immune system, and the lack of sleep will weaken it.
Sleep also helps with various hormonal functions, especially those that deal with hunger, digestion, and feeling full after a meal. Protein also plays a strong role in these functions. Studies have shown that people who sleep between seven and nine hours per night have a lower body mass index than those who do not get the sleep they need.
High blood pressure can also be a byproduct of not enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is stressful to the body, and those stress hormones that are produced can raise blood pressure. Those who sleep five hours or less every night have a risk of blood pressure five hundred times greater than those who get adequate amounts of sleep. These sleep deprived people are three times more likely to develop diabetes. As you can see, sleep affects more than just how fatigued you feel every day.
The Causes of Sleep Deprivation
There are very few people who haven’t had a night or several nights when they just couldn’t sleep. It is only a problem when it becomes something that happens commonly, or when it becomes a health problem, whether physical, mental, or emotional. When the lack of sleep is impairing your daytime activities, or you find yourself falling asleep in the middle of the day, then it is time to seek help. Sleep deprivation has a number of different causes. Each of them should be ruled out so the right one can be found and treated and you can return to a regular and healthy pattern of sleep.
Psychological: Approximately 50% of all insomnia cases stem from a psychological cause, like problems at home, at work, or some form of depression.
Physical: If your body is feeling bad, it can be difficult to sleep. Pain, injuries, illnesses and allergies can do their part to keep you awake at night. More than one of these conditions can make it difficult to pin down the exact cause of insomnia. A change in your daily routine or a new diet can sometimes cause temporary sleeplessness.
Environmental: These may be some of the easiest to determine, though sometimes still difficult to handle. Loud noises or too much light can keep some people awake. A change in the bedding or even a change in the season can change sleeping habits, especially for those who like things to be routine and familiar.
Food and drink: Different foods and beverages affect people in different ways. Some foods will keep some people up for hours, while others can eat the same things right before bed and have no problem at all. Light sleepers should avoid caffeine of any kind before bed.
One myth claims that eating right before going to bed causes weight gain, but it is just that – a myth. In fact, some go so far as to say eating anything after four in the afternoon will increase the chance of obesity. After spending a few nights awake out of hunger, however, most people find out that going so long without food is not helpful for weight loss. Eating something high in protein before trying to sleep is the better choice. Try having some cereal with milk (or soy milk), yogurt, a protein supplement bar, or a protein supplement shake to keep away those hunger pangs that wake you in the night. You’ll sleep until morning and those leftovers in the fridge will be safe from midnight snacking.
One way to get that protein boost is the liquid protein supplement shot known as Profect. Made by Protica, this supplement is less than three fluid ounces and only 100 calories, so there is no way it can make you gain any weight, no matter what time of day you drink it. It has 25 grams of protein and will help you achieve your daily requirement, as well as all the vitamin C your body needs, and some other nutrients as well. It can even help you get a good night’s sleep without that stuffed feeling from eating too much food right before bed. You may be surprised at how much good a little nutrition can do.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright