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Trace Minerals Benefits: Are They Your Friends or Foes? Learn More Here

Manganese Trace Minerals BenefitsSleep plays many different roles and functions when it comes to our health and well-being. Sleep can bring about healing, physical repair to the body, re-energize the body, promote your mental health, and is good for learning, memory, and aiding in overall emotional and physical well being. If you are having trouble sleeping, there could be some underlying issues such as metabolic issues, neurotransmitter issues, and even hormonal issues, like inadequate or over adequate amounts of cortisol in your system. Some trace minerals benefits from manganese, zinc, and chromium help to stabilize the body, however, they can, also make sleep issues worse because of a stimulatory effect. It is important to keep in mind that many trace minerals are vital for optimal health and overall well being. So, that makes it important to understand what these trace minerals can do, what minerals are needed in the body and how they relate to sleep quality.

What Are Trace Minerals Benefits?

Trace minerals are metal ions that are present in small amounts within our bodies. Our bodies not only benefit from trace minerals, they are even required for optimal activity and function. Overall, trace minerals benefits actually maintain a balance between nutrition and toxins. A deficiency can actually cause metabolic dysfunction and even metabolic failure.

Types of trace minerals include:

  • Zinc
  • Vanadium
  • Silicon
  • Chromium
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Iodine
  • Iron
  • Fluorine
  • Manganese

Most trace minerals are only needed in a few milligrams or micrograms per day. Overdoing it can have a negative impact or metabolic dysfunction. So, it is important to know what trace minerals benefits are vital for your body organs and systems to function properly, as well as the recommended doses before actually doing any sort of nutritional supplementation. Itā€™s highly recommended that you discuss this with your physician.

How can trace minerals actually have a worsening effect on sleep and deprive you of obtaining successful sleeping patterns and benefits? Well, metabolic balances are required for a good nightā€™s sleep. When blood sugar is low it will cause you to frequently wake up in the middle of the night. Metabolic imbalances, especially with blood sugar irregularities, that frequently happen during sleep, are a sign of adrenal fatigue. The body recognizes the low blood sugar and wakes up. Sometimes this occurs with night sweats or even extreme hunger. Eating nuts at bedtime can be extremely helpful in regulating this process. Having nuts at bedtime will add more fat and protein into your body before you sleep. It then will help you regulate your blood sugar and even stabilize your blood sugar, allowing you to sleep better throughout the night and wake up feeling refreshed.

Nuts, such as walnuts, contain levels of tryptophan which help regulate sleep hormones. They are also a good source of melatonin which is a natural sleep aid. Sometimes your body may not produce enough melatonin to help you sleep, so you toss and turn all night.

Other nuts that can be a helpful bedtime snack include:
Foods that include trace minerals benefits

  • Pecans
  • Almonds
  • Brazil Nuts
  • Cashews
  • Pistachios

Metabolic issues, such as abnormal increases in blood sugar glucose, high blood pressure, and bad cholesterol levels, can be a major contributor to poor sleep quality. Not to mention, these metabolic issues can lead to developing diabetes mellitus, strokes, or even heart disease. It is important to realize this is why some people may try to remedy their issues with trace minerals benefits. However, sometimes this really does not solve the actual underlying problem but can actually make it much worse.

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), Sleep and Trace Minerals

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS) is when your adrenal glands become overworked. This can lead to adrenal crash/exhaustion. When stressed the adrenal glands produce cortisol to regulate stress levels. When overly stressed, adrenal glands cannot keep up with cortisol production, leading to lower levels of cortisol. AFS has different symptoms, presenting as sleep related disorders or lack of energy. Adrenal fatigue can increase due to high levels of trace minerals even though it may benefit someone who does not have this disorder.

Adrenals produce cortisol, which is typically high in the morning when we need energy. It lowers in the evening so we can sleep. However, if you are overly stressed, cortisol levels will remain high at night. Stress makes it hard for adrenals to continue producing hormones we need. This is why we become tired, have restless nights, and feel energy depleted. Trace minerals further this process if they are high at night, due to blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia is a sign of AFS. If you have AFS and low blood sugar already, adding more trace minerals to your body can have adverse effects lowering blood sugar. You must understand the delicate balance of your blood sugar levels. Overall, trace minerals can help, but they are not suitable for everyone.

Now, let us look at how the trace mineral chromium may or may not benefit sleep. Chromium, a blood sugar stabilizing trace mineral, can be helpful for those with insomnia. However, the problem with this, is knowing how much trace mineral to use and when? People with advanced AFS can be quite sensitive to these compounds. This trace mineral can generate a paradoxical reaction, severely exaggerating responses instead of having benefits. People with optimal health may very well remedy the issue without adverse reactions. However, with people who have a hard time regulating blood sugars, it can drive blood sugar to an even lower point. In fact, a con of supplementation with trace minerals, is that it is dangerous to those with adrenal fatigue and with low blood sugar levels.

Chromium trace minerals benefitsNote that in those who try sleep aids or those with AFS, trace minerals may actually make things worse. Itā€™s better to combat sleep disorders naturally through breathing techniques and, as stated earlier, eating a small snack of healthy nuts before going to bed. There are other ways to combat sleep issues as well. However, if the problem is metabolic, this is the best way to stabilize your metabolism and get sleep. If you have nut allergies talk to a nutritionist, or allergy specialist. A nutritional coach can also help you find a relatable answer for sleep issues.

If you suspect you have metabolic sleep issues, talk to a professional with related training to help you find a program to improve sleep quality. Know trace minerals benefits and negative impacts. Self treating, without proper knowledge, could backfire on you. Be sure to talk to someone who understands how AFS responds to trace minerals benefits and affects hypoglycemia.

Understanding The NeuroEndo Metabolic Stress Response And Trace Minerals

The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response system shows how stress and other factors interrelate within our body systems and organs and how different areas of the body respond to the stressors. When one area of the body is affected by stress it can cause other body organs and systems to react. The NEM stress response is part of the neuroendocrine system. Within that system lies different axises including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hormonal axis. This axis is in charge of many of the hormonal balances within the body and even how they relate to stress.

The NEM Stress Response is not a system of solutions. It is a map of how stress interacts with your brain and body through neurotransmitters, hormones, and chemical reactions. These are associated with the autonomic system, a predictor of what may happen next. This can be true of the stress that relates to a lack of sleep, being tired, and insomnia.

If your body is tired, it will affect blood pressure, circadian rhythms, metabolic functions, mood, brain function, and energy levels. These responses can increase with insomnia and metabolic dysfunction. Since trace minerals benefits stabilize metabolic function, and create balance, people look to them for solutions. But, how do you know how much you should take, when to use them, or how you will react? This can be tricky. Use a proper professional to help. Weigh out all of the benefits and the cons of trace minerals; to have medical knowledge and understanding before you attempt using them or supplementing them on your own.

Metabolic functions have impact on whether you sleep well or not. Imbalances like this can cause cramping, bloating, gas, hunger, upset stomach and a lot of other issues. Stress can create metabolic dysfunction and can cause a whole slew of sleep problems, disorders; even insomnia.

trace minerals benefits at nightLetā€™s say, before you go to bed, you are under stress. It is known that higher levels of cortisol will affect your sleep in a negative way. Cortisol levels usually fluctuate throughout the day, lowering at night, to help you relax and sleep. Before bed, let go of stressors, have that little snack and allow yourself to relax to help your body sleep better. Not all problems are solved by conventional medicine. Knowing all the facts trace minerals benefits provide can help.

In review, trace minerals, in some circumstances, may be helpful but overall, itā€™s important not to supplement unless you really know what you are doing. Adrenal fatigue can complicate your sleep, metabolic reactions, and your reactions to levels of trace minerals. So, use them with caution and only at the advice of a professional who understands AFS. Sleep is meant to aid your body health. So if you are struggling with sleep disturbances and can not find a solution, it is a good idea to talk to a professional. Lastly, do not forget the power of nuts and melatonin. A perfect night of successful sleep is just around the corner.

The Takeaway

You probably already know that your body needs a variety of vitamins to function properly. But have you ever thought about trace minerals? Common trace minerals benefits are often forgotten in the race to good health, but they're an essential part of your diet. If you don't consume enough of them, then you will experience a range of symptoms and problems. If you're concerned about these minerals, here's how to enjoy them regularly:

  1. The next time you have trouble sleeping, look at your diet and evaluate whether you're getting enough trace minerals.
  2. Regularly snack on different types of nuts to get a variety of trace minerals.
  3. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about a serious deficiency as it can be life threatening.

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet can be difficult. If you'd like some support and expert tips on this, then click here or call +1 (626) 571-1234 to talk to our team.

Ā© Copyright 2017-2020 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.

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