Insomnia

Research Shows That Insomnia Often Results In Weight Gain, Depression, Sugar Cravings & Food Addictions

Insomnia is a broad term that describes difficulties with sleep, including the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. Insomnia is not a disorder, it is a symptom.

Chronic insomnia due to stress, snoring and sleep apnoea is becoming a common condition in modern society.

Insomnia may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, in particular an imbalance of cortisol and melatonin, the key sleep hormones.

Low levels of melatonin and elevated cortisol at night cause insomnia, leading to disrupted sleep and reduced sleep quality. You are not getting your deeper REM sleep.

Sleep Hormone Profile Test

If you suffer insomnia, poor sleep patterns or do shift work you may consider performing the saliva Sleep Hormone Profile. This test will assess both your melatonin and cortisol levels at midnight.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a vital hormone involved in regulating your circadian sleep/wake cycle. It allows you to go to sleep at night and wake feeling refreshed. Continual high levels of cortisol suppress the action of melatonin, resulting in poor sleep patterns. Melatonin also decreases naturally as we age.

Cortisol

Cortisol normally peaks in the morning, providing the stimulus to start the day. At night, when we are ready for sleep, the levels should be at their lowest. But if you are stressed your cortisol levels remain elevated for the day, leading to over stimulation at night. Your mind and body then has problems ‘switching off’.

Serotonin

Serotonin is a hormone that naturally boosts nocturnal melatonin levels. It is not possible to test this ‘feel good’ hormone, but if your Sleep Hormone Profile identifies high circulating cortisol levels associated with low melatonin levels, you could assume that your serotonin levels are also low.

Low serotonin levels are a common consequence of a hectic lifestyle. If you are always stressed and tired, this important hormone may be out of balance.

Saliva Hormone Testing

Identifying a hormonal imbalance is crucial to addressing the very factors that will help you lose weight and keep it off.

Salvia hormone tests are conducted through registered pathology labs. It is possible to assess both melatonin and cortisol levels with a Sleep Hormone Profile. In Australia PathLab specialise in this testing. In the USA Age Diagnostic Laboratories perform these tests. It is recommended that you discuss testing with your health practitioner.

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