Three nutrients for better sleep: Magnesium, potassium, vitamin D

Nutrients such as vitamin D and potassium have been scientifically linked to a good night's rest.

Published Monday, July 29, 2013

Want a better night's sleep? If you have difficulty getting quality zzzs, it could be linked to a surprising reason: vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

This week health website Livescience reported on three common sleep problems and the three nutrients that may cure what ails you.

1. Can't get to sleep: Studies have shown that insomnia is one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Good natural sources are dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, beans and lentils. 

2. Difficulty staying asleep: This could be linked to potassium, Livescience reports. Studies have shown that potassium supplements may boost sleeping through the night, but good food sources are beans, leafy greens, avocados, baked potatoes, and to a lesser degree, bananas.

3. Feeling tired during the day: While this could be the result of many factors, namely stress, research has found "a strong correlation" between excessive drowsiness during the day and vitamin D deficiency, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Good vitamin D sources: the sun's rays, but you can find the mineral in food sources such as swordfish, salmon, tuna, and fortified dairy products.

source: www.ctvnews.ca