Slumber-EZ helps relieve sleeplessness caused by... high cortisol levels high norepinephrine levels high acetaldehyde levels high lactic-acid levels low serotonin-melatonin levels low GABA levels, and Lysine-Arginine imbalance

by R.G. Sturtz, M.S.

For twelve years we have been sharing information with doctors who are baffled by patients suffering from sleep disorders. On the surface, symptoms are usually the same… patients complain of exhaustion, inability to concentrate, and a dreadful, volatile moodiness. In addition to feeling awful, many, of course, feel their livelihood is threatened because they simply cannot stay awake on the job. Sadly, we are all too prone to fall into the trap of stimulant dependency, especially when stimulants lead, as they do, to a crushing adrenal exhaustion.

Gradually, these hundreds of conversations have helped us unravel what at first seems like a complex knot of causes. What has been exciting to learn is that there are distinct mechanisms in your body that control sleep. Over time, the scientific literature, as well as our clinical feedback, has allowed us to isolate and identify many of these mechanisms.

It is important to know that sleep deprivation for only a few days begins to mimic the physiology of depression and aging. According to the Center for the Study of Biological Rhythms, “… a state of sleep debt, as is experienced by a substantial fragment of the population in modern societies, is likely to increase the severity of depression and widespread age-related chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension.”

The good news is that sleeplessness may often be the result of nutritional deficiencies or biochemical imbalances that can be corrected. L-Tryptophan, for example, replenishes the most common and best-understood deficiency by fortifying the L-Tryptophan > Serotonin > Melatonin pathway. Furthermore, L-Tryptophan competes against amino acids that have caffeine-like effects that lead to wakefulness. An important clinical consideration to remember is that 5-HTP may not be as effective as L-Tryptophan in blocking these competing amino acids.

Feeding the L-Tryptophan > Serotonin pathway by adding more L-Tryptophan to your diet works for many patients, but other amino acids also control this pathway, as well. L-Lysine, for example, not only influences the production of Serotonin, but a metabolite of L-Lysine, pipecolic acid, plays an important role in the effectiveness of GABA, another sleep inducing chemical produced by your body.

In the years since L-Tryptophan first became popular, other potential sleep-disturbing imbalances have been identified, and we also have a better understanding of how allergies and intolerances to common foods, such as dairy products and grains, can elevate cortisol levels and lead to wakefulness. In this case, a change in diet can help, but targeted nutrients can help, too.

In so many cases, chronic low-level infections seem to be the cornerstone of the problem. Originating in the lower intestine, gram-negative bacteria and fungi produce a variety of hormone-like and neurotransmitter-like chemicals that seep into your bloodstream and play havoc with both your nervous system and your immune system, alike. Toxic chemicals such as aldehydes may build up, triggering a stress response that unleashes cortisol, an essential chemical produced by your body - but a chemical that interferes with sleep.

The above mechanisms present us with several avenues by which to target and combat the problem of sleeplessness, and Slumber EZ strives to cover them all. Realistically, no nutritional product can correct all of our dietary and lifestyle mistakes, but Slumber EZ is designed to be the very best sleep promoter available to health-conscious patients and physicians. In summary, our research has identified seven specific biochemical imbalances that can inhibit sound sleep. We believe this is a serious step forward, and a much-needed comprehensive approach… based on an orthomolecular understanding of your body’s nutrient pathways.

Known problems that can disturb your sleep cycle include:

• High cortisol levels
• High norepinephrine levels
• High acetaldehyde levels
• High lactic-acid levels
• Low serotonin-melatonin levels
• Low GABA levels, and
• Lysine-Arginine imbalance

As science improves its understanding of the biochemistry of sleep, Slumber EZ incorporates this understanding by providing specific nutrients to metabolize and rid your body of the enemies of sleep. Slumber EZ strives to improve on the typical shotgun or chemical approach by providing what you really need, and in amounts that do the job.

Stimulants of any kind before bedtime, including foods or beverages containing caffeine, chocolate, mahuang, ephedra, guarana, yohimbine, L-arginine, or allergy-producing foods, such as dairy products, or simply bright lights or loud entertainment shortly before bedtime may either prevent sleep or cause wakefulness later in the night.

Dosage may be increased to six (6) capsules before bedtime if sleep is difficult. Slumber EZ may also be given during the night if wakefulness occurs.