| As darkness falls at the end of each day, | | | | twenty-one days, and can be enhanced by |
| melatonin production rises. In the morning, when | | | | vitamin C supplementation. MSM from Aerobic Life |
| daylight hits the retina, neural impulses cause | | | | Industries and OptiMSM , which is an ingredient in |
| production of the hormone to slow. Clearly, light | | | | products made by Allergy Research Group, |
| and darkness are the primary factors that set | | | | Bluebonnet, Country Life, Jarrow, and others, are |
| the rhythms of melatonin production. However, | | | | good sources. Natrol, Inc., produces a good MSM |
| they are not the only factors involved. In fact, it | | | | supplement as well. |
| has been found that a variety of regular daily | | | | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) |
| routines can strengthen the rhythm of melatonin | | | | NADH is a form of vitamin 63 (niacin) that is |
| production. Here are a few simple ways in which | | | | essential for the production of various |
| you can help your body maintain high levels of this | | | | neurotransmitters and cellular energy. NADH, |
| important hormone: Eat regular meals. The | | | | which is also known as coenzyme 1, also acts as |
| rhythm of melatonin production is strengthened | | | | an antioxidant . |
| by regular daily routines. Keep your meal times as | | | | As we age, natural levels of NADH decline, which |
| regular as possible to keep your body in sync | | | | can lead to reduced levels of both energy and |
| with the rhythms of the day. | | | | significant brain chemicals. Taking supplemental |
| Keep your diet light at night. When melatonin | | | | NADH can result in improvements in the |
| production begins after nightfall, the digestive | | | | biochemistry of energy production, especially in |
| process is slowed. | | | | the brain and nervous systems. NADH shows |
| Thus, any heavy foods eaten close to bedtime | | | | promise as a therapy for Parkinson's disease |
| may lead to digestive problems, which can make | | | | because it results in an increase in brain levels of |
| it difficult to sleep. To get the sleep you need, eat | | | | the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is deficient |
| small, light meals in the late evening. | | | | in people with this disorder. People with |
| Avoid stimulants. Stimulants such as coffee, tea, | | | | Alzheimer's disease may be helped by this |
| and caffeine containing medications and soft | | | | supplement as well. Some people suffering from |
| drinks can interfere with melatonin production by | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have shown |
| interfering with your sleep. As much as possible, | | | | significant improvement with NADH therapy. |
| eliminate these stimulants from your diet and | | | | ENADA (NADH) from Kal Dietary Supplements is |
| lifestyle. | | | | a good source of NADH. |
| Avoid exercising late at night. Vigorous activity | | | | Octacosanol |
| delays melatonin secretion. If you exercise in the | | | | Octacosanol is a naturally derived wheat germ oil |
| morning, you will reinforce healthful sleeping habits | | | | concentrate. Although it would be possible to |
| that lead to regular melatonin production. For best | | | | extract octacosanol from whole wheat, 10 pounds |
| results, do your morning exercise outdoors, in the | | | | of wheat would be needed to obtain just 1,000 |
| morning light. | | | | micrograms of octacosanol. Wheat germ has long |
| Most North Americans today eat considerable | | | | been known for its many benefits. Today, |
| amounts of processed food, and MSM is normally | | | | extracts of wheat germ weighing only 2 |
| either not present at all or present only in very | | | | milligrams offer remarkable benefits as well. |
| small amounts in the typical diet. Most people | | | | Octacosanol has been clinically proven to increase |
| therefore would probably benefit from | | | | oxygen utilization during exercise and improve |
| supplementation. | | | | glycogen stores in muscle tissue. As a result, it |
| Research suggests that we require a constant | | | | increases physical endurance, improves reaction |
| supply of MSM for optimum good health, as sulfur | | | | time, reduces high-altitude stress, and aids in |
| is one of the essential minerals. Commonly | | | | tissue oxygenation. This substance can greatly |
| recommended dosage levels are about 2,000 | | | | benefit those who experience muscle pain after |
| milligrams (2 grams) per day taken in divided | | | | exercise or have a lowered endurance level. It is |
| doses, with the morning and evening meals, but it | | | | good for muscular dystrophies and other |
| is best to start out at 1,000 milligrams (1 gram) | | | | neuromuscular disorders as well. It also reduces |
| per day to avoid a too-rapid rate of detoxification. | | | | blood cholesterol levels. |
| Benefits usually become evident in two to | | | | |