Not Sleeping Well? Why Your Immune System Could Be to Blame for Sleep Issues by Dr. Vikki Petersen

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Do you find yourself frequently falling ill or feeling under the weather? Well, those two things could actually be related.

Your immune system is more active at night which is why melatonin, your sleep hormone, is associated with protecting you from viruses, cancer and more. Good sleep is empowering to your immune system. Unfortunately, if you have some chronic issues such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins that put stress on your immune system, they can interrupt your sleep and defeat your best efforts to attain good quality sleep.

Here are my top four tips on natural ways to boost immunity to help improve sleep:

1. Try to get eight hours of sleep. Strive to get eight hours of sleep per night at generally the same time each day. Studies have shown that those who get six hours or less are more likely to get sick than those getting adequate sleep. Try to be asleep by 10 p.m. The hours of sleep that occur prior to midnight are more strengthening to your immune system than those after midnight.
2. Speak to your doctor about possible health issues. If possible, find a clinician who can test you for “hidden” infections or toxins, including bacteria, parasites, viruses, heavy metals and mold. An overtaxed immune system due to unidentified infections or toxins will inhibit deep and restorative sleep.
3. Get plenty of vitamin D. Be sure to get your vitamin D level checked. Vitamin D has been well researched to protect you from a variety of diseases, including cancer and viruses, and therefore critical to immune health. It may also be associated with better sleep.
4. Knock the refined sugar habits. Try to eliminate, or drastically reduce, refined sugar from your diet. Sugar is the preferred fuel source for cancer cells, bacteria and viruses. You do not want to feed them and therefore make them stronger.

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