A little nighttime reading
Try Raising Your Glutathione Levels Naturally for Better Sleep
A hot topic in wellness is the antioxidant glutathione and the myriad of benefits it has. See how glutathione can also be the key to better sleep.
A new study has revealed that more and more Americans are not getting enough sleep. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults don’t get enough sleep, and 34.8% of American adults are getting less than seven hours of sleep - the minimum length of time adults should rest to reduce the risk of obesity, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
To be able to get enough sleep, most people need to have a good bedtime routine, a comfortable mattress, supportive and high-quality pillows, and perhaps a natural sleep aid to promote a peaceful slumber. Many people have discovered that glutathione, a natural antioxidant, can help to get a good night’s rest, and the good news is that it’s quite simple to increase your glutathione levels to achieve better sleep.
What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for your overall health and wellness. When you’re sleep deprived, your body’s ability to fight off illness is compromised. Moreover, lack of sleep can lead to cognition issues, and brain functions such as memory, decision-making, reaction time, and problem-solving are all negatively affected. You’ll also find that you tend to forget things if you don’t take measures to get a good night’s sleep.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is an antioxidant that is naturally produced by the body to combat free radicals. Antioxidants help to strengthen and repair the cell walls, which can result in better and younger-looking skin. It also prevents cancerous tumors from forming in the body and stops DNA damage in its tracks.
While you can get glutathione supplements in health food stores, glutathione can also be found in certain fruits and vegetables such as asparagus, potatoes, peppers, avocados, broccoli, squash, tomatoes, grapefruit, apples, peaches, oranges, and melons.
How Glutathione Helps Promote Sleep
Experts have found that high levels of glutathione in the body can help you sleep better. In one study, it was found that those who had increased levels of glutathione were able to fall asleep easier at night and wake up refreshed in the morning. Moreover, it was found that the body is able to naturally produce more glutathione during sleep.
How to Boost Your Glutathione Levels
Your body’s stores of glutathione can be greatly diminished if you’re constantly stressed or if you’re exposed to tobacco smoke. Drinking alcohol can also deplete the glutathione in your body. If you want to get enough sleep, there are certain things that you can do to raise your glutathione levels.
Consume glutathione-rich foods
Apart from the fruits and vegetables which were mentioned earlier, you should also consume dairy products to boost your glutathione levels. Drinking non-pasteurized milk that contains no hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics is a great way to increase the glutathione in your body.
Get moving
Exercise is another natural way to increase your glutathione levels. Just 30 minutes of running, walking, or jogging can enhance your body’s defenses against free radicals. Add some strength training exercises at least three times a week to get the optimum benefits from your workouts.
Increase your melatonin intake
Melatonin increases the glutathione levels in the tissues of your liver, brain, and muscles. Melatonin can be naturally found in tart cherries, hummus, bananas, nuts, teas (chamomile or peppermint), and fish (cod, salmon, tuna, or halibut).
Getting enough sleep should be a priority as all the vitamins and supplements in the world cannot replace the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Try increasing your glutathione levels naturally, and make it a point to practice good sleep habits for your health and wellbeing.
___________________________
Image credit: © nomao saeki on Unsplash
