It’s no surprise that your diet can affect all areas of your life, from your sleep to stomach problems and beyond. Without sleep you become at a higher risk for heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. Here are some great foods and supplements that can help you get a good nights rest without having to turn to prescription medications.

Nuts- Specifically walnuts and almonds. Walnuts have tryptophan, the amino acid that makes us all sleepy after eating turkey on Thanksgiving. Almonds contain magnesium, discussed below.

Magnesium- This supplement has been shown to help with a good nights sleep as well as maintaining nerve and muscle function, supporting the immune system, and keeping bones strong. You can get magnesium naturally through bananas.

Fish and B6- Fish that are high in B6 including salmon, halibut and tuna are a great way to increase your B6. B6 is known to make melatonin and serotonin in the body. More about those to come.

Cherries- Especially cherries that are tart, help to naturally boost melatonin levels.

Melatonin- This supplement is well knows as a hormone that helps to regulate the sleep cycle. It is a hormone our bodies produce naturally to signal it is time to go to sleep.

Herbal Teas- Chamomile and Passionfruit teas are two great ways to help you get to sleep. Chamomile tea is associated with glycine increase, which relaxes muscles and is a mild sedative. Passtionfruit tea has Harman alkaloids which will help to make you tired through your nervous system.

GABA or Theanine- Theanine is an amino acid that triggers the release of GABA, aka gamma-aminobutyric acid. The brain is calmed and allowed to relax, which also can help to reduce anxiety without prescriptions.

5-HTP- Another amino acid supplement that is used to increase serotonin in the brain and help with getting a good nights sleep. It is also effective in enhancing mood and decreasing appetite.

Sources:
http://www.thebetterhealthstore.com/Newsletter/030510_Top-5-Sleep-Supplements_08.html
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/foods-that-help-you-sleep/print-view/