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Good quality, uninterrupted sleep is integral to achieving optimal health.Withoutit,we fall prey to a cascade of physiologic dysfunction that results in increased bodymassindex (BMI), a decline in cognitive performance1, increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, hormonal imbalances, immune system dysfunction, depression and anxiety, and even vitamin Ddeficiency.
Stages of Sleep
Sleep is a complex phenomenon constituted by two types of sleep patterns: non-REM (also called Slow Wave Sleep) and REM. In an ideal sleep pattern, a person experiences stages of sleep in non-REM and REMphases.SlowWaveSleep(non-REM)presentsas a high voltage slow wave electroencephalographic pattern (alpha and delta waves), while REM sleep exhibits a low voltage fast wave pattern (theta wave) accompanied by eye movement. If either phase is disrupted, or sleep disturbance results. Although stages of sleep accompanied by calming brainwave activity is the natural circadian rhythm, 70% of American adultsreportthatthey obtain insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night. It is estimated that sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages and socioeconomic classes. Because sleep deprivation is linked to increased health risk, sleeplessness has become a public health concern.
Root of Sleeplessness
At the root of impaired sleep quality may be a number of underlying issues. Neurochemical balance is key to achieving optimal sleep patterns. However, the following may be contributing to a neurochemical imbalance:
Anxiety can be an instigator for sleepless nights and seems to be the result of an imbalance in neurotransmitter (GABA, serotonin and dopamine) function. Excess glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, results in low gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), essential for limiting the excitation of neurotransmitters and fundamental for good-quality sleep.
Electromagnetic fields and blue light also play a roleindecreasedmelatoninproduction, necessary for normalsleep cycles. Stress, common to 79% of all Americans, can yield excess cortisol or insufficient cortisol production, both of which tip the hormonal balance to wakefulness in the night.
Although each person’s neurochemistry is unique, Alpha-Theta Ultra PM™ is a somnotropic formula that incorporates key nutrients recognized to induce calming brainwave activity and promote the onset and duration of high-quality sleep for most people by supporting GABA receptor function, and healthy levels of serotonin and dopamine.
Well-researchedanxiolyticbotanicalsandnutrients includeL-theanine(Suntheanine®),Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis),Passionflower(Passiflora caerulea), 5-HTP, and Melatonin.
L-Theanine (Increases GABA and Dopamine Levels)
L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is an amino acid found in green tea. A derivative of glutamic acid, it is one of the most important neurotransmitters.
Fat-soluble, it is easily absorbed and crosses the blood-brain barrier resulting in increased dopamine and GABA levels in the brain, and increased production of calming brain alpha waves. L-theanine has been shown to support improved sleep quality not by sedation but through anxiolysis.
Protection Against Glutamate Toxicity
There is some evidence L-theanine offers neuroprotective benefits partly due to the antagonistic action of theanine on glutamate subtype aMPA and kainite receptors. By acting on the glutamine (Gln)transporter, itinhibitsthe incorporation of extracellular Gln into neurons, suppressing the conversion of glutamine to glutamate by glutaminase. This antagonistic activity plays a role in neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity.
Optimizes Stress Response
In one study where subjects were given L-theanine and a placebo and exposed to stressors to test cortisol levels, the salivary cortisol response was significantly reduced in the subjects taking L-theanine when compared to the placebo.
Inanotherstudy, L-theanineintakeresulted in a reduction in heartrate (HR) and salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) responses to acute stress relative to the placebo due to its effect on the sympathetic nervous system. Overall, L-theanine hasbeenshowntocause“anti-stress effects”viathe inhibition of cortical neuron excitation.
Increases Alpha Waves
L-theanine has been found to significantly increase activity in the alpha frequency band, which is associated with relaxing the mind.
Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
BDNF plays a centralrole in neural development and cellsurvival and is essentialto the molecular mechanisms ofsynaptic plasticity. In one study, L-theanine was found to increase expression of
BDNF protein in the hippocampus due to its antagonistic action on theNMDA receptor, oneof thethreeglutamatereceptors. Therefore,
L-theanine has been positively associate with BDNF, a protein that increases neural plasticity and promotes neurogenesis (dopaminergicand serotonergic).
Improves Overall Sleep Quality
When evaluating L-theanine’s effect on sleep quality, one study looked at boys diagnosed with ADHD and found higher sleep percentage and sleep efficiency scores, compared to those in the placebo group.
BaikalSkullcap(ImprovesOverallSleepQuality) Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, or Chinese skullcap, has been widely used for its health-supporting propertiesfor thousands of yearsin China. Flavones such as baicalin, wogonoside and their aglycones baicalein wogonin are the major bioactive compounds extracted from the root of S. baicalensis. Baicalin reports anxiolytic effects by acting on the GABA(A)receptorsite and exertsthis effect through the alpha2- and alpha3- containing subtypes. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of S. baicalensis have been studied using both in vitro and in vivo models yielding positive results.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balmis a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family that has been shown to improve sleep quality.22Inastudyof childrenwithsleepbruxism, Lemon Balm was administered, with and without Phytolacca decandra. A significant reduction of sleep bruxism was observed using the Visual Analogic Scale, demonstrating increased calmness during sleep. In another study, Lemon Balm increased self-ratings of calmness and alertness, mitigating the effects ofstress, often the source of sleeplessness. These findings are also consistent with the German Commission E recommendations regarding the approval of Melissa officinalis L. extract use for nervous insomnia.
Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Passiflora caerulea, also known as blue passionflower, is one ofthe most vigorous and tender members the passionflower genus Passiflora. Native to South America, its traditional use has been as an anxiolytic. According to the American Botanical Council, the components of thefruit andflowerthat confertherapeuticbenefits include maltol, coumarin derivatives, flavonoids (vitexin), and small amounts of essential oils.
Much of the evidence supports the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Passiflora caerulea are due to its high chrysin content. Another animal study demonstrated that the combined aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis and Passiflora caerulea reduced plasma corticosterone, the most important biomarker associated with stress.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-HTP is the intermediate metabolite in the biosynthesis of serotonin. L-theanine, tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) all are reported to promote relaxation by acting as GABA receptor agonists, thereby boosting GABA levels. In animals,5-HTPisdecarboxylatedtoformserotonin, whichistheneither acetylatedtoN-acetylserotonin or it is methylated to form
5-methoxytryptamin; these products are eithermethylated or acetylated to produce melatonin, which aids insleep.
Melatonin
Melatonin functions in the regulation of sleep, modulation of circadian rhythms and enhancement of immunity, while retaining its ability to reduce oxidative stress by processes that are, in part, receptor-independent. This multifunctional hormone mediates the body’s response to light availability and signals its production intimes of darkness to prepare for sleep. Production of melatonin decreases with age, which contributes to sleep difficulties associated with aging.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the tryptophan- serotonin pathway.When using 5-HTP to enhance serotonin andmelatonin production,the activated form of vitamin B6 helpsto catalyze the conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin.
