In the past we have discussed many serious sleep issues. In this report we will discuss two more sleeping disorders that are relatively common.  These disorders respond to nutrients and self-care. Because they run in families, the disorders may indicate a genetic requirement for more of certain nutrients than the average person needs.

Restless Legs Syndrome
The first sleep disruption is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). This neurological disorder is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. The sensations are typically worse during periods of inactivity and usually strongest at night. This disorder affects other nerves as well. For instance, many people experience the same sensations in their arms.

As mentioned, RLS responds to nutrients and other conservative forms of care.

• Biotin – The B vitamin biotin is involved in promoting nerve health. It also improves blood sugar metabolism; there is a strong connection between Diabetes and RLS. When given biotin supplements in relatively large doses, symptoms can improve and may even disappear within a few months. This may be because of improved blood sugar, healthier nerves or some other mechanism. People with RLS are really not as concerned with “why” biotin works; it just does, and that gives them relief!

• Vitamin B-12 and folic acid – RLS also responds to Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. The levels of these vitamins found in TriVita’s Sublingual B-12 and HCY Guard can help still the limb movement. However, there is not enough biotin in either of these supplements to correct a biotin deficiency; more biotin will be needed.         

You can find this increased level of biotin in Peaceful Sleep. These supplements provide blood sugar control and enough biotin to help many people with RLS. Certainly, the one-two punch of B-12 and Peaceful Sleep will provide you with an abundance of these nutrients – and can help relieve RLS for many.

Remember, the “Recommended Daily Allowance” for vitamins and minerals is a mathematical average for average people. Some individuals have greater nutrient needs programmed genetically. These special needs may be demonstrated in bizarre symptoms, such as Restless Legs Syndrome.

Bruxism
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of your teeth or tightly clenching your jaw. This often happens when you are asleep but it may also happen while you are awake. Many have thought of this condition as a psychological habit because it occurs most frequently when a person is under stress. However, there may be another explanation of this “stress connection.”

Stress increases metabolism as your body prepares for “fight or flight.” You use up more nutrients as fuel for the stress response. Now, imagine that you were trying to get your nutrients by eating food grown in deficient soil, processed in high heat and packaged in sodium. Do you believe that you are getting all the nutrients you need from this type of diet? You are absolutely not getting enough nutrients by eating the Standard American Diet (SAD). Any stress you face pushes you into “deficit spending” in your nutrient reserves. Nutrient deficiency is common and serious in many people in North America. Stress amplifies this problem.

• Calcium and Magnesium – Calcium is a mineral that is in short supply in the American diet. Calcium is crucial in the tense/relax cycle of muscle contractions. Without calcium, a muscle is not able to contract. That is why emergency room physicians will give intravenous calcium to people having a heart attack to encourage the heart to contract and relax more normally. Calcium allows a muscle to tense and then relax. Magnesium is the “escort” for calcium as it journeys into and out of the muscle cells. The nutrients to begin supplementing with when a person experiences Bruxism are calcium and magnesium.

• Pantothenic acid – An abundant B vitamin in your body is called Pantothenic acid. Panto- is a prefix meaning “everywhere.” Pantothenic acid needs to be everywhere, all the time. This need is dramatically increased during times of stress. If we are following the SAD as mentioned above, we will not have enough Pantothenic acid to deal with stress. This may result in Bruxism for some.

Peaceful Sleep contains calcium, magnesium and Pantothenic acid. Supplementing with Peaceful Sleep may be enough to completely stop the clenching and grinding of Bruxism. Some people need more minerals, so I recommend OptimaFlex. OptimaFlex contains twice as much magnesium as it does calcium – the perfect ratio – and facilitates both muscle contractions and muscle relaxation.

People are different and so are their nutrient needs. Some people require more Pantothenic acid than can be accommodated in a blend such as Peaceful Sleep. You may have to take a single Pantothenic acid supplement. You need a lot of Pantothenic acid all the time – especially when you are clenching your teeth from stress.

For so very many problems there are simple solutions to be found in proper nutrients and nurturing. The key to wisdom in this respect is accepting that we are not all alike. Learn to listen when your body speaks to you through symptoms. Live the 10 Essentials for ultimate wellness. Sleep peacefully as a foundation for all the great things you have to do!