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14 July 2009

Eat better, sleep better

Do you suffer from insomnia? Try to eat foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps the body to produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.

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Do you suffer from insomnia? Try to eat foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps the body to produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.

Take action:
Include tryptophan-rich foods, like milk, honey, turkey, egg whites and tuna, in your diet every day. An easy way to do this is to drink a hot drink made from milk and honey every night before bedtime. Also stop drinking coffee after 4:00 pm, or taking over-the-counter stimulants not prescribed by your doctor. Start exercising if you are unfit. If the problem persists, consult your doctor for appropriate and effective treatment of possible anxiety, depression, chronic disorders, sleep apnoea, heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome.

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