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Independent health store advice on better sleep and increased energy

Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health stores can offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This issue we speak to Shirley O’Sullivan from Here’s Health in Douglas Court Shopping Centre in Douglas, Cork

Stress and anxiety can contribute to feelings of fatigue, making even simple everyday tasks difficult. It is one of the most common complaints, but there are ways to help bring the body back to balance. Stress consumes huge amounts of energy, so it is important to control it. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, t’ai chi and meditation are useful tools in lowering stress levels.

There are numerous energy drinks on the market, but you cannot buy energy in a can. Your body makes energy every minute from the food and drink that you put into it.

Some diets can be restrictive or personal choices might affect nutrient status. This is when good quality food-based supplements come in and bridge the gap.

Many supplements can help support energy production such as CoQ10, ashwagandha, B vitamins, magnesium and ginseng.

B-complex vitamins are water-soluble and are excreted through urine and are not stored in the body. They need to be replenished regularly to maintain adequate levels. Turning glucose within cells into energy requires a whole host of nutrients such as B1, B2 and B5. B12 is required to make adrenalin and for nerve transmission, with the end result being energy.

Magnesium has many functions in the body – over 300 in fact. This includes energy production, protein formation and cellular replication. An underlying magnesium deficiency, even if minimal, can result in chronic fatigue and symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. Many chronic fatigue syndrome patients have been shown to have low red blood cell magnesium levels.

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble enzyme that naturally occurs in every cell in the body, but its production tends to decrease with age. Like a battery power source, its primary function is to produce energy in cells.

Long used in Chinese medicine, ginseng is believed to improve physical and mental performance. In individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, ginseng supplementation over two months improved tiredness symptoms.

Ashwagandha is a natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years. It is not only one of nature’s painkillers, but a very effective adaptogen to help increase energy levels and improve concentration.

Getting enough sleep is incredibly important for your health. Sleep helps your body and brain function properly. A good night’s sleep can help improve your learning, memory and decision making. While diet and lifestyle need to be addressed, there are some natural sleep aids that’ll help you to get that essential shut-eye.

For some sufferers the major problem is waking during the night, for others it’s not being able to fall asleep at all. Vitamin B12 has been shown to be supportive in the treatment of sleep-wake rhythm disorders through improved melatonin secretion.

Cherries are a rich source of phytochemicals that may have important benefits for the brain and nervous system. They are also known to be a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that plays an important role in regulating sleep patterns. A number of clinical studies have suggested that cherries can improve sleep and melatonin levels.

Valerian root, a tall, flowering grassland plant, may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better.

L-theanine is an amino acid in the body that is part of the neurotransmitters that have a calming effect. It is a very effective tool in aiding relaxation before bed and in turn aiding in a restful sleep.

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