Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can lead to a variety of health problems if left untreated. While you should first seek appropriate medical treatment if you believe you have this condition, you may also wish to explore supplements for sleep apnea that may promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
When your body resists rest, it’s tempting to turn to pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter sleep aids. But those sleep aids can be addictive and downright dangerous for anyone with breathing problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema.
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The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends trying supplements for sleep apnea instead of antihistamines, analgesic sleep aids, or melatonin. Other side effects of sleep medication include:
- Loss of appetite
- Change in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, or gas
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dizziness or cognitive impairment
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Nightmares
Sleep apnea is a common problem affecting some 20% of the world’s population. It’s more common in men but tends to afflict women after menopause. Unlike insomnia which makes it difficult to fall asleep, sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that interferes with your ability to breathe while sleeping. The constant need to catch your breath causes you to wake up several times at night. Doctors point to several causes:
- Obesity: Fat deposits in the neck and around the tongue can obstruct your airway.
- Narrow airway: The muscles in the back of your throat relax during sleep, making it challenging for air to pass through.
- Alcohol and sedative use: These relax the muscles in your throat, making breathing more difficult.
- Tobacco use: Smoking leads to inflammation in the upper airway, which can affect breathing.
- Nasal congestion: Trouble breathing during the day worsens while you’re sleeping.
- Hormonal disorders: Endocrine disorders can contribute to or worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Doctors found that treating excess levels of aldosterone sometimes eases the problems associated with sleep apnea.
- Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD: Sleep-disordered breathing problems often overlap with health issues that obstruct the airway while awake.
- Aging: Fatty tissue may increase in the neck and around the tongue as we age.
- Family history: The shape of your airway may be an inherited trait.
- Allergies: Nasal allergy inflammation can lead to snoring and obstructed airways.
Five great supplement ingredients for sleep apnea
Proper nutrition can give your body the necessary vitamins and minerals to produce the essential chemicals for a good night’s sleep. For example, instead of taking synthetic melatonin (which can cause side effects such as tremors and dizziness), consider taking supplements for sleep apnea which help your body produce the melatonin it needs. Here are five supplement ingredients for sleep apnea that work with your body instead of against it:
- Vitamin C: This crucial vitamin enhances the function of blood vessels and boosts metabolism. It also combats oxidative stress, which can lead to sleep apnea.
- Magnesium: This essential mineral is often lacking in people suffering from a lack of sleep. It’s one of the supplements for sleep apnea that helps balance hormones and lowers the risk of inflammation in the neck and throat that can block the airway. Researchers found that a daily dose of magnesium can increase your body’s level of naturally circulating melatonin.
- Tryptophan: This is one of the most natural supplements for sleep apnea. This amino acid is in protein-rich foods like meats, dairy products, and nuts. It regulates mood and helps the body produce and balance hormones. Researchers found it helps with the airway obstructions associated with some forms of sleep apnea.
- Glycine: This amino acid increases the body’s serotonin levels to restore healthy sleep patterns for a more restful sleep.
- Yohimbine: Researchers at MIT found evidence that this chemical from the bark of the African Yohimbe tree may help by targeting the hypoglossal nerve and preventing the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway. Be aware: this research is still in its preliminary stages.
Achieve natural deep sleep
Identifying the supplement ingredients that may help sleep apnea is only half the battle. Finding them is the other half, especially a product that combines the top four ingredients (vitamin C, magnesium, tryptophan, and glycine) into one quality sleep supplement to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Sleep apnea has no cure, but lifestyle changes can let you breathe and sleep easier. So before you reach for the antihistamine or synthetic melatonin, sleep on it. Then choose the supplements for sleep apnea that work with your body, and rest assured, you’ll sleep more soundly.
For further reference:
Harvard Medical School: Drugstore sleep aids may bring more risks than benefits
Sleep Foundations: Side Effects of Sleep Medication
National Library of Medicine: Obstructive sleep apnea and hormones – a novel insight
Sleep Foundations: How Magnesium Can Help You Sleep
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
