Menopause And Insomnia -- New Findings Link Estrogen Decline, Sleeplessness And Mineral Deficiency

Women in the pre-menopause and menopause years are more and more finding themselves experiencing symptoms of chronic insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, migraine headaches, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Uzzi Reiss, M.D., author of Natural Hormone Balance for Women, says: "Some of the above reactions occur nearly simultaneously whenever the level of estrogen falls."



Hormone drugs, nutritional remedies, and lifestyle changes are some of the options available to women. Consumer Affairs reports that while 70 percent of women entering menopause will have some symptoms, most symptoms can be managed with healthy lifestyle improvements. In their recent report, they do not recommend hormone drugs for women who have an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke or cancer - which is 35 to 50 percent of all women 50 and older.



As menopause approaches, another emerging link between estrogen decline and its symptoms is the aspect of mineral deficiency. Mildred Seeling, M.D. describes this in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. She says "Estrogen enhances magnesium utilization and uptake by soft tissues and bone and may explain the resistance of young women to heart disease and osteoporosis -- as well as the increased prevalence of these diseases when estrogen production ceases."



Magnesium works best when it's balanced with calcium. The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis writes of mineral deficiency during menopause in her book Let's Get Well. Davis says: "Calcium is less well absorbed and the urinary losses are greater when the output of estrogen decreases. Such calcium-deficiency symptoms as nervousness, irritability, insomnia, and headaches are common."



Sleep in magnesium deficiency is restless, agitated and disturbed by frequent nighttime awakenings. However, all forms of magnesium are not equally effective. In a study of more than 200 patients, Dr. W. Davis used magnesium chloride as a possible means of combating insomnia. The researcher reported that sleep was induced rapidly, was uninterrupted, and that waking tiredness disappeared in ninety-nine percent of the patients. In addition, anxiety and tension diminished during the day. (W. Davis and F. Ziady, "The Role of Magnesium in Sleep," Montreal Symposium).
















Magnesium chloride crystals are made from seawater. Separately, both magnesium and chloride have important functions in keeping us healthy. Chloride combines with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid, a powerful digestive aid that declines in the body as we grow older. Using other forms of magnesium is less beneficial as these have to be converted into chlorides before they can be digested. For example, when we take magnesium in the oxide or carbonate form, we then have to produce additional hydrochloric acid to absorb it.



Another benefit of magnesium chloride crystals is that they instantly dissolve in any temperature of water. In addition to it's relaxing effects, magnesium chloride has been shown to provide improved digestion, a stronger immune system, calmer nervous system, lower blood sugar levels, and stronger nails and hair.
Natural remedies for sleep, such as Sleep Minerals from Nutrition Breakthroughs, have begun to include this highly digestible form of magnesium.



Jobee Knight, a nutritional researcher and founder of Nutrition Breakthroughs in Glendale, CA., is someone who fought her own battle against insomnia. She decided to put her background to use by searching out effective natural ingredients for relaxation and deeper sleep. The result was Sleep Minerals, a unique blend of magnesium chloride and calcium lactate gluconate.



Nancy Richardson of Burbank, CA. says: "The Sleep Minerals put me to sleep pretty fast and I slept like a rock for many hours. It was quite beneficial. And I've been having trouble getting to sleep and staying that way, but this was quite helpful."



Consumer Reports advises that hormone drugs can increase the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots and stroke. An increasing number of women are turning to non-pharmaceutical solutions for insomnia. Highly absorbable forms of natural minerals can be a soothing alternative.



References:



1. Consumer Affairs Study: "Most Women Don't Need Hormones for Menopause", Nov. 21, 2005.


2. Mildred Seeling, M.D. Journal Amer. College of Nutrition 1993 Aug;12 (4):442-58. "Interrelationship of magnesium and estrogen in cardiovascular and bone disorders, eclampsia, migraine and premenstrual syndrome."


3. Saris N.E., Mervaala E, Karppanen H, Khawaja J.A., Lewenstam A. "Magnesium: an update on physiological, clinical, and analytical aspects." Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2002, vol. 21, no. 2).



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