Sleep Studies
Impulse magnetic-field therapy for insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Pelka RB, Jaenicke C, Gruenwald J.
Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen Neubiberg/Munich, Germany.
This 4-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy of impulse magnetic-field therapy for insomnia. One hundred one patients were randomly assigned to either active treatment (n = 50) or placebo (n = 51) and allocated to one of three diagnostic groups: (1) sleep latency; (2) interrupted sleep; or (3) nightmares. Efficacy endpoints were intensity of sleep latency, frequency of interruptions, sleepiness after rising, daytime sleepiness, difficulty with concentration, and daytime headaches. In the active-treatment group, the values of all criteria were significantly lower at study end (P < .00001). The placebo group also showed significant symptomatic improvement (P < .05), but the differences between groups were highly significant (P < .00001). Seventy percent (n = 34) of the patients given active treatment experienced substantial or even complete relief of their complaints; 24% (n = 12) reported clear improvement; 6% (n = 3) noted a slight improvement. Only one placebo patient (2%) had very clear relief; 49% (n = 23) reported slight or clear improvement; and 49% (n = 23) saw no change in their symptoms. No adverse effects of treatment were reported.

PMID: 11697020 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Sleep inducing effect of low energy emission therapy.
Reite M, Higgs L, Lebet JP, Barbault A, Rossel C, Kuster N, Dafni U, Amato D, Pasche B.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
The sleep inducing effect of a 15 min treatment with either an active or an inactive Low Energy Emission Therapy (LEET) device emitting amplitude-modulated electromagnetic (EM) fields was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study performed on 52 healthy subjects. All subjects were exposed to both active and inactive LEET treatment sessions, with an interval of at least 1 week between the two sessions. LEET consists of 27.12 MHz amplitude-modulated (sine wave) EM fields emitted intrabuccally by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The estimated local peak SAR is less than 10 W/kg in the oral mucosa and 0.1 to 100 mW/kg in brain tissue. No appreciable sensation is experienced during treatment, and subjects are therefore unable to tell whether they are receiving an active or an inactive treatment. In this study the active treatment consisted of EM fields intermittently amplitude-modulated (sine wave) at 42.7 Hz for 3 s followed by a pause of 1 s during which no EM fields were emitted. During the inactive treatment no EM fields were emitted. Baseline EEGs were obtained and 15 min post-treatment EEGs were recorded and analyzed according to the Loomis classification. A significant decrease (paired t test) in sleep latency to stage B2 (-1.78 +/- 5.57 min, P = 0.013), and an increase in the total duration of stage B2 (1.15 +/- 2.47 min, P = 0.0008) were observed on active treatment as compared with inactive treatment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PMID: 8155071 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
Effects of low energy emission therapy in chronic psychophysiological insomnia.
Pasche B, Erman M, Hayduk R, Mitler MM, Reite M, Higgs L, Kuster N, Rossel C, Dafni U, Amato D, Barbault A, Lebet JP.
Symtonic USA, Inc., New York, New York 10162, USA.
The treatment of chronic psychophysiological insomnia presents a challenge that has not been met using currently available pharmacotherapy. Low energy emission therapy (LEET) has been developed as a potential alternative therapy for this disorder. LEET consists of amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields delivered intrabuccally by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The effect of LEET on chronic psychophysiological insomnia was assessed with polysomnography (PSG) and sleep rating forms on a total of 106 patients at two different centers. Active or inactive LEET was administered for 20 minutes in late afternoon three times a week for a total of 12 treatments. Primary efficacy endpoints evaluating the results were changes from baseline in PSG-assessed total sleep time (TST) and sleep latency (SL). Secondary endpoints were changes in sleep efficiency (SE), sleep stages, and reports by the subjects of SL and TST. There was a significant increase in TST as assessed by PSG between baseline and post-treatment values for the active treatment group (76.0 +/- 11.1 minutes, p = 0.0001). The increase for the inactive treatment group was not statistically significant. The TST improvement was significantly greater for the active group when compared to the inactive group (adjusted for baseline TST; p = 0.020. R1 = 0.20). There was a significant decrease in SL as assessed by PSG between baseline and post-treatment values for the active treatment group (-21.6 +/- 5.9 minutes, p = 0.0006), whereas the decrease noted for the inactive treatment group was not statistically significant. The difference in SL decrease between the two treatment groups was marginally significant (adjusted for baseline SL and center, p = 0.068, R2 = 0.60). The number of sleep cycles per night increased by 30% after active treatment (p = 0.0001) but was unchanged following inactive treatment. Subjects did not experience rebound insomnia, and there were no significant side effects. The data presented in this report indicate that LEET administered for 20 minutes three times a week increased TST and reduced SL in chronic psychophysiological insomnia. LEET is safe and well tolerated and it effectively improved the sleep of chronic insomniacs given 12 treatments over a 4-week period by increasing the number of sleep cycles without altering the percentage of the various sleep stages during the night. The therapeutic action of LEET differs from that of currently available drug therapies in that the sleep pattern noted in insomniacs following LEET treatment more closely resembles nocturnal physiological sleep. This novel treatment may offer an attractive alternative therapy for chronic insomnia.

PMID: 8776791 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

MORE SCIENTIFIC INFO

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Apr;21(2):219-24. Related Articles, Links [Study on the influence of simulative EEG modulation magnetic field on the discharge of median raphe nuclei]

 

Wang M, Li Y, Wang X, Guo M.

College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.

In this paper the response characteristic of the nerve fiber to the modulation magnetic field induction is studied by using the method of numeric simulation. It is found that the nerve fiber is sensitive to the low frequency modulated signal but not to the high frequency carrier wave. A simulative EEG signal generator is developed according to the change of EEG rhythm during the sleep. The simulative EEG square wave is modulated by high-frequency magnetic impulse. The modulation magnetic field is coupled into the rabbit's brain to study the influence of magnetic stimulation on the discharge of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) nerve cell. The experiment results demonstrate that discharge frequency of median raphe nuclei related to sleep changes significantly and the discharge becomes slow, which shows that magnetic stimulation can inhibit electrical activity of 5-HT nerve cell and provide a new way to improve insomnia.

PMID: 15143544 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sleep. 1996 May;19(4):327-36.


Effects of low energy emission therapy in chronic psychophysiological insomnia.

Pasche B, Erman M, Hayduk R, Mitler MM, Reite M, Higgs L, Kuster N, Rossel C, Dafni U, Amato D, Barbault A, Lebet JP.

Symtonic USA, Inc., New York, New York 10162, USA.

The treatment of chronic psychophysiological insomnia presents a challenge that has not been met using currently available pharmacotherapy. Low energy emission therapy (LEET) has been developed as a potential alternative therapy for this disorder. LEET consists of amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields delivered intrabuccally by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The effect of LEET on chronic psychophysiological insomnia was assessed with polysomnography (PSG) and sleep rating forms on a total of 106 patients at two different centers. Active or inactive LEET was administered for 20 minutes in late afternoon three times a week for a total of 12 treatments. Primary efficacy endpoints evaluating the results were changes from baseline in PSG-assessed total sleep time (TST) and sleep latency (SL). Secondary endpoints were changes in sleep efficiency (SE), sleep stages, and reports by the subjects of SL and TST. There was a significant increase in TST as assessed by PSG between baseline and post-treatment values for the active treatment group (76.0 +/- 11.1 minutes, p = 0.0001). The increase for the inactive treatment group was not statistically significant. The TST improvement was significantly greater for the active group when compared to the inactive group (adjusted for baseline TST; p = 0.020. R1 = 0.20). There was a significant decrease in SL as assessed by PSG between baseline and post-treatment values for the active treatment group (-21.6 +/- 5.9 minutes, p = 0.0006), whereas the decrease noted for the inactive treatment group was not statistically significant. The difference in SL decrease between the two treatment groups was marginally significant (adjusted for baseline SL and center, p = 0.068, R2 = 0.60). The number of sleep cycles per night increased by 30% after active treatment (p = 0.0001) but was unchanged following inactive treatment. Subjects did not experience rebound insomnia, and there were no significant side effects. The data presented in this report indicate that LEET administered for 20 minutes three times a week increased TST and reduced SL in chronic psychophysiological insomnia. LEET is safe and well tolerated and it effectively improved the sleep of chronic insomniacs given 12 treatments over a 4-week period by increasing the number of sleep cycles without altering the percentage of the various sleep stages during the night. The therapeutic action of LEET differs from that of currently available drug therapies in that the sleep pattern noted in insomniacs following LEET treatment more closely resembles nocturnal physiological sleep. This novel treatment may offer an attractive alternative therapy for chronic insomnia.

PMID: 8776791 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bioelectromagnetics. 1994;15(1):67-75.


Sleep inducing effect of low energy emission therapy.

Reite M, Higgs L, Lebet JP, Barbault A, Rossel C, Kuster N, Dafni U, Amato D, Pasche B.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

The sleep inducing effect of a 15 min treatment with either an active or an inactive Low Energy Emission Therapy (LEET) device emitting amplitude-modulated electromagnetic (EM) fields was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study performed on 52 healthy subjects. All subjects were exposed to both active and inactive LEET treatment sessions, with an interval of at least 1 week between the two sessions. LEET consists of 27.12 MHz amplitude-modulated (sine wave) EM fields emitted intrabuccally by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The estimated local peak SAR is less than 10 W/kg in the oral mucosa and 0.1 to 100 mW/kg in brain tissue. No appreciable sensation is experienced during treatment, and subjects are therefore unable to tell whether they are receiving an active or an inactive treatment. In this study the active treatment consisted of EM fields intermittently amplitude-modulated (sine wave) at 42.7 Hz for 3 s followed by a pause of 1 s during which no EM fields were emitted. During the inactive treatment no EM fields were emitted. Baseline EEGs were obtained and 15 min post-treatment EEGs were recorded and analyzed according to the Loomis classification. A significant decrease (paired t test) in sleep latency to stage B2 (-1.78 +/- 5.57 min, P = 0.013), and an increase in the total duration of stage B2 (1.15 +/- 2.47 min, P = 0.0008) were observed on active treatment as compared with inactive treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 8155071 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Med Pr. 1983;34(1):65-73. Related Articles, Links


[Health status of the workers exposed to strong, constant magnetic fields]

[Article in Polish]

Lankosz J, Tokarz J, Weselucha P, Ochmanski W, Gzyl E, Barbaro B, Gatarski J, Drozdzewicz L, Kielar I.

Forty two workers underwent examinations under clinical conditions. The workers were affected by the magnetic field of intensities ranging between 112-190 Gauss, depending on the workplace. They underwent internal, ophthalmological, psychological, psychiatric and analytical examinations and the health status of those exposed was compared to that of twenty controls. Most subjects, mainly those of long length of employment in e-m fields exposure, exhibited nonspecific abdominal pains, general weakness, insomnia, increased thirst and conjunctivitis.

PMID: 6865739 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entrez-PubMed is a search and retrieval system that integrates information from databases at U.S. National Center of Biotechnology Information; the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2002 Apr 19;127(16):872
Sleep disorders caused by electrosmog?
Schweisfurth H.
Klinikum, Thiemstrasse 111, 03048 Cottbus.
Adv Ther. 2001 Jul-Aug;18(4):174-80.
Impulse magnetic-field therapy for insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Pelka RB, Jaenicke C, Gruenwald J.
Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen Neubiberg/Munich, Germany.
70% (n = 34) of the patients given active treatment experienced substantial or even complete relief of their complaints; 24% (n = 12) reported clear improvement; 6% (n = 3) noted a slight improvement.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2002 Summer;14(3):270-6.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression.
Rosenberg PB, Mehndiratta RB, Mehndiratta YP, Wamer A, Rosse RB, Balish M.
Mental Health Service Line, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422, USA.
Seventy-five percent of the patients had a clinically significant antidepressant response after rTMS, and 50% had sustained response at 2-month follow-up. Comparable improvements were seen in anxiety, hostility, and insomnia, but only minimal improvement in PTSD symptoms. Left frontal cortical rTMS may have promise for treating depression in PTSD, but there may be a dissociation between treating mood and treating core PTSD symptoms.
about 100 tms/rtms studies at rTMS/TMS

Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 2001;29(1):125-33
Investigation of brain potentials in sleeping humans exposed to the electromagnetic field of mobile phones.
Lebedeva NN, Sulimov AV, Sulimova OP, Korotkovskaya TI, Gailus T.
Institute of Higher Nerve Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2000 Nov;111(11):1936-41.
Nocturnal magnetic field exposure: gender-specific effects on heart rate variability and sleep.
Graham C, Sastre A, Cook MR, Gerkovich MM.
Midwest Research Institute, 425 Volker Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.

Med Hypotheses 2000 Apr;54(4):630-3
The effects of natural and man-made electromagnetic fields on mood and behavior: the role of sleep disturbances.
Sher L.
The author further suggests that the development of sleep abnormalities in persons exposed to artificial electromagnetic fields may predict the onset of a psychiatric disorder at a later time and that early intervention may prevent the onset of a psychiatric disease.

J Sleep Res. 1999 Mar;8(1):77-81.
A 50-Hz electromagnetic field impairs sleep.
Akerstedt T, Arnetz B, Ficca G, Paulsson LE, Kallner A.
National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Int J Neurosci. 1991 Aug;59(4):259-62.
Age-related disruption of circadian rhythms: possible relationship to memory impairment and implications for therapy with magnetic fields.
Sandyk R, Anninos PA, Tsagas N.
Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461.

Sleep. 1996 May;19(4):327-36.
Effects of low energy emission therapy in chronic psychophysiological insomnia.

Pasche B, Erman M, Hayduk R, Mitler MM, Reite M, Higgs L, Kuster N, Rossel C, Dafni U, Amato D, Barbault A, Lebet JP.
The number of sleep cycles per night increased by 30% after active treatment (p = 0.0001) but was unchanged following inactive treatment. Subjects did not experience rebound insomnia, and there were no significant side effects. The data presented in this report indicate that LEET administered for 20 minutes three times a week increased TST and reduced SL in chronic psychophysiological insomnia. LEET is safe and well tolerated and it effectively improved the sleep of chronic insomniacs given 12 treatments over a 4-week period by increasing the number of sleep cycles without altering the percentage of the various sleep stages during the night. The therapeutic action of LEET differs from that of currently available drug therapies in that the sleep pattern noted in insomniacs following LEET treatment more closely resembles nocturnal physiological sleep. This novel treatment may offer an attractive alternative therapy for chronic insomnia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bioelectromagnetics. 1994;15(1):67-75. Related Articles, Links
Sleep inducing effect of low energy emission therapy.
Reite M, Higgs L, Lebet JP, Barbault A, Rossel C, Kuster N, Dafni U, Amato D, Pasche B.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
The sleep inducing effect of a 15 min treatment with either an active or an inactive Low Energy Emission Therapy (LEET) device emitting amplitude-modulated electromagnetic (EM) fields was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study performed on 52 healthy subjects. A significant decrease (paired t test) in sleep latency to stage B2 (-1.78 +/- 5.57 min, P = 0.013), and an increase in the total duration of stage B2 (1.15 +/- 2.47 min, P = 0.0008) were observed on active treatment as compared with inactive treatment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Med Pr. 1983;34(1):65-73.
[Health status of the workers exposed to strong, constant magnetic fields]
[Article in Polish]
Lankosz J, Tokarz J, Weselucha P, Ochmanski W, Gzyl E, Barbaro B, Gatarski J, Drozdzewicz L, Kielar I.
Forty two workers underwent examinations under clinical conditions. Most subjects, mainly those of long length of employment in e-m fields exposure, exhibited nonspecific abdominal pains, general weakness, insomnia, increased thirst and conjunctivitis.
PMID: 6865739 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cesk Neurol Neurochir. 1976 Jan;39(1):1-11. Related Articles, Links
[Use of magnetic fields and electronic noise in the treatment of insomnia and neurosis]
[Article in Czech]
Grunner O.
PMID: 1082800 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arch Mal Prof. 1971 Oct-Nov;32(10):679-83. Related Articles, Links
[Study of biological disturbances in O.R.T.F. technicians in some high-frequency electromagnetic fields]
[Article in French]
Deroche M.
PMID: 5290081

Wang M, Li Y, Wang X, Guo M. Related Articles, Links
[Study on the influence of simulative EEG modulation magnetic field on the discharge of median raphe nuclei]
Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Apr;21(2):219-24. Chinese.
PMID: 15143544 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2: Jouvet M. Related Articles, Links
Sleep and serotonin: an unfinished story.
Neuropsychopharmacology. 1999 Aug;21(2 Suppl):24S-27S. Review.
PMID: 10432485 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3: Ootsuka Y, Blessing WW. Related Articles, Links
Activation of slowly conducting medullary raphe-spinal neurons, including serotonergic neurons, increases cutaneous sympathetic vasomotor discharge in rabbit.
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2005 Apr;288(4):R909-18. Epub 2004 Nov 18.
PMID: 15550616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4: Puizillout JJ, Gaudin-Chazal G, Sayadi A, Vigier D. Related Articles, Links
Serotoninergic mechanisms and sleep.
J Physiol (Paris). 1981;77(2-3):415-24. Review.
PMID: 6457142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5: Puizillout JJ, Gaudin-Chazal G, Daszuta A, Seyfritz N, Ternaux JP. Related Articles, Links
Release of endogenous serotonin from "encephale isole" cats. II - Correlations with raphe neuronal activity and sleep and wakefulness.
J Physiol (Paris). 1979;75(5):531-7.
PMID: 533869 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Khanbabian MV, Kirakosian MP, Sarkisian RSh, Gevorkian AP. Related Articles, Links
[Influence of the medial raphe nucleus damage on discharge activity of the central and bazolateral nuclei of the amygdala]
Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. 2004 Sep-Oct;54(5):698-704. Russian.
PMID: 15573707 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Foo H, Mason P. Related Articles, Links
Brainstem modulation of pain during sleep and waking.
Sleep Med Rev. 2003 Apr;7(2):145-54. Review.
PMID: 12628215 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8: Kloiber O, Okada Y, Hossmann KA. Related Articles, Links
[A 4.7 T static magnetic field has no effect on the electric activity of the brain in cats]
EEG EMG Z Elektroenzephalogr Elektromyogr Verwandte Geb. 1990 Dec;21(4):229-32. German.
PMID: 2127012 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9: Petrova EV, Guliaeva NV, Titarov SI, Rozhnov IuV, Koval'zon VM. Related Articles, Links
[Effect of impulse extrabroad-band electromagnetic radiation on electroencephalogram and sleep in laboratory animals]
Ross Fiziol Zh Im I M Sechenova. 2003 Jul;89(7):786-94. Russian.
PMID: 14758614 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10: Chu YX, Liu J, Feng J, Wang Y, Zhang QJ, Li Q. Related Articles, Links
[Changes of discharge rate and pattern of 5-hydroxytrypamine neurons of dorsal raphe nucleus in a rat model of Parkinson's disease]
Sheng Li Xue Bao. 2004 Oct 25;56(5):597-602. Chinese.
PMID: 15497040 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11: Fujita Y, Sato H, Takeuchi T, Minami S. Related Articles, Links
Median raphe- and contralateral hippocampus-elicited EEG spikes which correspond to hyperpolarizations of pyramidal cells in the kindled hippocampus of the rabbit.
Brain Res. 1983 Nov 14;278(1-2):313-7.
PMID: 6640323 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

12: Ursin R. Related Articles, Links
Serotonin and sleep.
Sleep Med Rev. 2002 Feb;6(1):55-69. Review.
PMID: 12531142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13: Bell G, Marino A, Chesson A, Struve F. Related Articles, Links
Electrical states in the rabbit brain can be altered by light and electromagnetic fields.
Brain Res. 1992 Jan 20;570(1-2):307-15.
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J Clin Neurophysiol. 1984 Jul;1(3):275-91. Review. No abstract available.
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[Development of slow wave sleep after lesion of the anterior Raphe nuclei of the newborn rat]
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[Sleep organisation in the kitten following early lesions to the structures involved in the regulation of alertness (author's transl)]
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Int J Neurosci. 2003 Jul;113(7):1007-19.
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Vitamins and Minerals


Vitamin supplements may be used to provide you some relief from a cause of insomnia. This is particularly true if you are deficient in certain vitamins, amino acids, minerals, or enzymes that are necessary for healthy sleep.

Try adding one of the following nutritional supplements to your daily well-balanced diet:

· Calcium: When combined with food, calcium can have a sedative effect on your body. Calcium deficiencies in your body can cause wakefulness and restlessness which is a common cause of insomnia. The recommended amount of calcium supplement per day is 600mg. It should be taken along with food and may be combined with a magnesium supplement.


· Magnesium: Take a magnesium supplement of 250g each day. This can help induce sleep since a magnesium deficiency can cause nervousness which may prevent you from sleeping. Studies show that low levels of magnesium can lead to shallower sleep and cause you to wake more during the night. Try to add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. This includes wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, and kelp.

· Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): 50 to 100mg of Vitamin B6 per day can help prevent a cause of insomnia. Your body needs adequate B6 in order to produce serotonin which is required for the sleep-triggering hormone called melatonin. An excellent source of vitamin B6 is a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast which can be stirred into a glass of fruit juice.


· Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): This is another important supplement to help you cure your cause of insomnia. If you are deficient in this vitamin you may experience confusion, loss of memory, and a general feeling of tiredness. The recommended daily dose is 25mg and can be combined with Vitamin B5. Good choices of Vitamin B12 and B5 can be found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, bananas, tuna, wheat germ, peanuts, and whole grains.


· Vitamin B5 (pantothenic Acid): This vitamin is good for relieving stress and anxiety. Deficiency of B5 can be a cause of insomnia leading to sleep disturbances and fatigue. The daily recommended dose is 100 mg.

· Folic Acid: A deficiency of folic acid may be a contributing factor to a cause of insomnia. The recommended daily dose is 400 micrograms. Folic acid can be found naturally in orange juice, leafy green vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, and beans. It should be noted that the synthetic form of folic acid found in over-the-counter vitamins is more easily used by your body than the natural product.


· Copper: Studies show that a low intake of copper in pre-menopausal women may inhibit them from falling asleep quickly. The study showed that those women who received a 2mg copper supplement each day fell asleep faster and felt more rested in the morning. You are probably getting 1 mg of copper each day which alone wouldn't create enough of a deficiency to be a cause of insomnia or any obvious symptoms but may be affecting the way that you sleep. Try to include more copper in your diet. Some of the best sources are cooked oysters and lobster.

If you eat a well-balanced diet you should find that you have no problem with vitamin deficiencies. You may want to add one or two of the above supplements to your diet for a short period of time to see if you notice a significant difference.

If you find that there is no noticeable improvement you may want to cease taking the supplement and concentrate on improving your eating and exercise habits