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Alphan

 Educational only:

Keep in mind that the system is really a networked system meaning that one system, say neurology can impact other systems such as endocrine, immunity etc.

The gut contains 70% of the immune system and when immunity is triggered, it can seep into other systems, particularly the neurological. The gut/brain axis is well established and now they know that many neuropsychiatric conditions have origins the gut. Examples of this are Parkinson's disease or Autism, but also more common problems like depression, anxiety etc. There are several explanations that I will not go into but primarily, it is the immune responses that are occurring within the gut mostly due to a gut whose microbiome is out of balance. 

Sleeping issues can be a telltale sign of some immune triggering, insomnia is one of those which in my case is due to histamine release, that is why anti-histamines tend to help me fall asleep. Histamine is a byproduct of immune activation. 

The gut/brain axis can be viewed in two ways, the first as described above is the gut immunity triggering neurological but neurological can influence gut behavior as well. So high stress can affect the gut likely due to excess cortisol (endocrine) - cortisol is a great hormone to help in times of need but excess cortisol can be problematic. Relaxation techniques can help with this.

There are a couple of products that can reduce some of the edge (mainly anxiety) and that would GABA agonists, I use Source Naturals Gaba Calm which is a lozenge that donates GABA to the brain. GABA fights and suppresses glutamate. Glutamate becomes dominant during stress and too much of it will lead to anxiety. Typically, it comes from mental stress but also immune stress and I should add that physical stress as well. My sleep was improved from this product and it reduced the anxiety quite well, better or equal to pharmaceuticals such as benzodiazepines. 

https://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1122/

Fresh Thyme and likely the Vitamin Shoppe should stock this, a 30 lozenge bottle was around $10. 


Magnesium plays a key role in many enzymatic functions including GABA production. Magnesium is lost under any stressor which includes mental, physical, immune etc. It is associated with sleep, relaxation, improving neurological tones, energy production, immune health and much more.

Magnesium comes in various forms which it seems different people respond to different forms. Magnesium oxide is commonly sold in popular products, but I would avoid since it is not very bio-available. It is the most economical form, that is why some use it. The same company that sells the GABA product also makes a magnesium product that has various forms, it is called UltraMag. Another decent one is sold by Doctor's Best called High Absorption Magnesium (or something like that), it has magnesium glycinate and magnesium lysinate. 

Source Naturals also sells a multivitamin with minerals and other good stuff that has done wonders for me and the people I recommended this product to. It is likely $15 for a month supply. This should provide the nutrient structures to keep the systems happier.

https://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1459


Last product is Quali C by Doctor's Best. This is a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C so it does not contain any fillers or additives that might stimulate more immune response. This is the same company that makes High Absorption Magnesium. Cost is about $15. Most people use about 2,000 mg per day, I use more. Vitamin C is a super antioxidant that will tone the immune, endocrine responses. 

Most people I know with auto-immune conditions do suffer with sleep difficulties and this is directly related to immune responses and stressors. 

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