What Are The Best Sleep Supplements?

Sleep is important for so many reasons. While many of us are exhausted by the end of the day, it can still be a challenge to fall asleep easily and actually stay asleep through the night. Even with a healthy diet, good workout routine, and busy schedule, you could still end up counting sheep.

So if you've ditched your phone, had a bath, have fresh sheets and fluffy pillows and still can't fall asleep, what do you do?

That’s where sleep supplements come in, they could be your key to restful, revitalizing sleep, here’s why.

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Why is sleep important?
Supplements for sleep

Why is sleep important?

You might think of recovery as the days between your high intensity workouts, stretching, and refuelling, but sleep is the ultimate form of recovery. While we sleep, your body can focus on repairing and rebuilding muscle and fuel stores, while your mind consolidates memories and knowledge and helps to balance your hormones.¹

Here are some more reasons why quality sleep is important:

Good sleep can prevent heart related problems²
Increased cognitive function and attention span⁴
Improved post workout recovery– quality sleep is key for energy conservation and nervous system recuperation, which are keys to recovery ⁴
Maximum effort and power – with interrupted sleep, both power and max perceived effort have been found to be lower⁵
Healthy metabolism and weight control – impaired blood sugar control and increased appetite and hunger have been linked with poor sleep⁵
Immune system health – when you are sick, your body requires extra sleep and rest to fight off infection; poor quality sleep or lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to illness⁶

Supplements to improve sleep and sleep quality

With so many obvious benefits of healthy sleep, you’re probably wondering how you can support your body in falling asleep quickly and staying in a deep, quality sleep.

The following supplements can support not just your best sleep, but your health overall. Several are linked to serotonin and melatonin, the relaxing hormones associated with sleep.

5HTP

5HTP is a precursor of serotonin, which is the “feel good” chemical that makes you feel relaxed and happy. Taking 5HTP has been associated with waking less easily at night and showing a long-term improvement in sleep quality with few side effects.⁸

Magnesium

Magnesium has been shown to help both your body and brain relax. Low levels of magnesium are linked to many chronic inflammation related issues. Interrupted sleep and poor sleep quality have both been shown to improve when magnesium has been supplemented to meet the estimated average requirement.⁹ The sleep improving quality of magnesium may be due to its roles in the production of melatonin (a key hormone for sleep) and the muscles’ ability to relax.

B Vitamins

Many B Vitamins are also key in the secretion of melatonin. While B vitamins also support healthy metabolism, a lack of B vitamins may inhibit healthy sleep patterns and lead to insomnia.10 In particular, niacin (Vitamin B3) is key in producing both serotonin and melatonin while pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) assists with 5-HTP conversion to serotonin.¹⁰

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidyl serine is a structural component of the neuronal membrane that can decline with age. Low levels of phosphatidylserine have been linked with poor sleep quality.¹¹ It's key in other healthy brain functions like memory and cognition.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a key component of the immune system and reducing inflammation, in addition to maintaining bone and muscle health. When Vitamin D levels are chronically low, there is an increased risk for many autoimmune diseases and infection that can negatively impact sleep quality and lead to sleep disorders.¹²

Take Home Message

While it’s easy to assume that more sleep is the key for optimal health and recovery, research shows that quality sleep is a much more important consideration.

While there are many factors that impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, the supplements explored in this article may help improve sleep quality and your overall health.

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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.

Claire Muszalski Writer and expert

Claire is a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a board-certified Health and Wellness Coach through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh.

Talking and writing about food and fitness is at the heart of Claire’s ethos as she loves to use her experience to help others meet their health and wellness goals.

Claire is also a certified indoor cycling instructor and loves the mental and physical boost she gets from regular runs and yoga classes. When she’s not keeping fit herself, she’s cheering on her hometown’s sports teams in Pittsburgh, or cooking for her family in the kitchen.

Find out more about Claire’s experience here.