Eat Better, Sleep Better
I just read a great new study on WebMD about food and sleep. In The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that foods which cause a rise in blood sugar (what is called a high glycemic index) can shorten the time to fall asleep, if eaten about 4 hours before bed. The researchers do not know exactly why this occurred, but the thought is that they raise levels of serotonin and tryptophan.
The study was done in Australia at The University of Sydney, where they studied 12 normal men who were 18-35 years old. The men, who had no sleep problems, spent three nights at the researchers' sleep lab. They took one week off between stays at the lab. These guys would fast for 5 hours and then be given a meal of rice and steamed veggies with a light tomato sauce. Each experimental condition would have a different type of rice -- jasmine (high glycemic index) vs. long grain (lower glycemic index) -- and be given the rice at a different time before bed. The subjects were then timed at how long it took them to fall asleep once in bed.
It was discovered that jasmine rice four hours before bedtime had them falling asleep in nine minutes, on average. The same meal 1 hour before bed had them falling asleep in nearly 15 minutes, on average. The slowest to fall asleep were those who ate the long-grain rice meal four hours before bedtime, taking nearly 18 minutes, on average.
While we do not know why this occurred, it continues to press the point that what we put in our bodies has an effect on how we sleep. Now if they could only figure out that pizza could do the same thing, I would be grateful :-)
(Source: Afaghi, A. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2007; vol 85: pp 426-430.)
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Technorati Tags: Sleep Doctor, insomnia, glycemic index, carbs
11 Comments:
Hello. have you ever heard of someone being given Seroquel to treat insomnia. When I did the research, I discovered that it is used to treat schitzophrenia and dementia.
Your doctor is prescribing it for off-label use because although this drug is indicated for bipolar and schizo, it makes people sleepy. Just be sure to know all the serious adverse effects you can suffer and do a risk-benefit analysis. If you and your physician feel that the risks you take (weight gain, diabetes, extrapyrimidal syndrome, etc) are all worth is and that you haven't tried other alternatives like ambien, sonata, xanax, trazodone, etc.
I was diagnosed as Bipolar I Disorder and put on Seroquel among other meds... but I just heard it can cause diabetes, diabetic coma, and even death!
I have been taking seroquel for the last four years to help me sleep. Does anyone know what the side effects of stopping this medication are?
I was given seroquel as a sleep aid. My doctor retired and a new doctor I went to preceded to tell me I was bipolar or had a mood disorder because of the medicine I was prescribed to help me sleep which led me to do research. What is wrong with a sleeping pill? why give someone this seroquel if the only problem is not sleeping good? I feel wronged. I had no idea what this medicine was approved for by the fda. this doesn't seem right.
My psychiatrist prescribed me seroquel as a sleep aid as well, without telling me that its intended use is for schizophrenia. She told me to just take it when I couldn't sleep and I figured it was sleep medication. I found out what it really was when reading a chart in a textbook for my class. Has this drug ever been studied for use as a sleep aid?
I to take seroquel for chronic insomnia. I've tried ambien, lunesta, sonata, xanax and trazadone. For me the benefits of seroquel outweigh the risks. Without it, I'm lucky to sleep 10 per week.
To those that take Seroquel for sleeping disorders don't worry you will have more to think about at night while laying there awake at night. Like your new type2 diabetes. Even better for us who have heart problems.
For me sleeping isn't important anymore as I now have these new problems to keep me company at night and for whats left of my life. Thanks Doc!
Forrest Bishop Jr.
I have been taking Seroquel for a couple years. I was 190 lbs when I started. I now weigh 260 lbs. I have been told to get a blood screen test that checks for diabetes,high blood sugar and other trouble signs. I have come close to quitting but my symptoms returned and I started taking the prescribed amount. I take 600mg daily. The suggested max is 700mg. I can work off the weight, but if my blood test come back with bad news I will have to quit and try to find an alternative.
Taking Seroquel for insomnia is a joke. At bedtime I take 300mg of Seroquil+10mg of valum+Lunesta and 2 mg of clonazopam every nite and sleep for an average of 4&1/2 hours of sleep. Good luck everyone. I hope your results are better than mine.
My Freind was recenitly told to take seroquel 100 mg. to help her sleep. being in health care this worries me! there is serious side effects to this drug ! Please everyone question your phyisican!!!
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