(Excerpt from BOOM magazine! Fall-2018)

To age well, you have to be concerned with all facets of healthy lifestyle habits (being fundamentally positive, diet, physical activity, stress management and social life) while having a good quality sleep. Three recent studies provide new information on the importance of sleep in maintaining good health as we age.

Study 1: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

The first study (Ohara et al, 2018), published on June 6, 2018, followed 1,517 adults aged 60 and over for 10 years. The incidence rate of dementia and death from all causes were found to be higher in participants with a daily sleep duration of less than 5 hours versus a daily sleep duration of 5 to 7 hours.

Study 2: Science Advances

The second study (Cedernaes et al, 2018), published on August 23, 2018, demonstrated that poor sleep alters energy metabolism and increases the production of inflammatory molecules. Lack of sleep would cause increased body fat, loss of muscle mass and an imbalance in glucose management (increased risk of diabetes).

Study 3: European Society of Cardiology

The third study (Moa Bengtsson, 2018) published on August 26, 2018, presented results from the comparison of the risks of cardiovascular incidence in 50-year-old men sleeping 5 hours and less per day versus those sleeping 7 to 8 hours. Men who have slept 5 hours or less a night are twice as likely to have a heart attack in the next 20 years.

Rapid aging

Unfortunately, with age, it becomes more difficult to fall asleep due to the decrease in the natural production of melatonin. It is also more difficult to stay asleep, achieve deep, or a restful sleep due to stress and anxiety. Several other reasons can be cited: taking medication, phase shift in the circadian cycle, psychological problems and other health conditions such as pain.

Vitoli® products

Two of the Vitoli® products are used for sleep problems: Vitoli® Sleep and Vitoli® Stress and Anxiety, taken as one or two capsules, 30 to 40 minutes before going to bed. Usually Vitoli® Sleep is more effective, but some people prefer Vitoli® Stress and Anxiety. It is also possible to use a capsule of each product. It is always a good idea to talk to your pharmacist before taking any medication. Here are the claims allowed by Health Canada for Vitoli® Sleep:

  • Helps reduce the time to fall asleep.
  • Helps to increase the total duration and quality of sleep in people with restricted or altered sleep schedules.
  • Used in herbal medicine to help sleep.
  • Helps relieve nervousness.
  • Provides antioxidants.

Do not hesitate to speak to your pharmacist about VITOLI®; they will be able to advise you.