Why You Crave Carbs When You're Tired And How To Improve Sleep
Mark Hyman
Jan 15, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Optimize gut health to enhance sleep quality through melatonin
Your gut contains up to 400 times more melatonin than your pineal gland, highlighting the critical link between gut health and sleep quality.
Limit melatonin supplements to maintain natural effectiveness
Taking too much supplemental melatonin can downregulate your body's melatonin receptor sites, making your natural melatonin less effective.
Prioritize sleep to enhance fat loss
In a University of Chicago study, subjects on the same diet lost 55% more body fat when they got sufficient sleep compared to when they were sleep-deprived.
Use apigenin to quiet the mind for better sleep
Apigenin, a chamomile extract, can help with sleep by activating a chloride channel mechanism in the brain that essentially turns off thinking.
Get sunlight at sunset to protect against late-night screen effects
Getting some sunlight in your eyes around sunset can lower your retina's sensitivity to light, offering some protection against the negative effects of late-night screen exposure.
Dim lights in the evening to enhance melatonin production
Bright light of any color, not just blue, can suppress melatonin, so dimming lights in the evening is more important than just wearing blue-blocking glasses.
Exercise in the morning for deeper sleep and lower nighttime blood pressure
According to an Appalachian State University study, morning exercisers spend more time in the deepest stage of sleep and experience a 25% greater drop in blood pressure at night.
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