When I am dieting and keeping my carbs low I cannot sleep at all. I have tried melatonin, gaba, 5htp, valerian, and so on. I have even used Advil PM which did work though I would rather not rely on it every night to fall asleep.
If I get up and actully eat some carbs such as a bowl of cereal I am out like a light though I am killing my low carb diet at that point.
Has anyone had this problem or can anyone suggest a solution…Thanks.
Sometimes that can be indicative of a potassium deficiency. Do you eat plenty of vegetables on this low carb diet?
I’ve found St. John’s Wort helps, but as I remember there were some less than desirable side effects. It’s been a while since I have used it so I don’t remember what problems I was having.
[quote]visionary wrote:
Has anyone had this problem or can anyone suggest a solution…Thanks.[/quote]
I have and the solution was to eat more carbs.
To me this is a clear sign that you’re trying to do something that doesn’t work well for your body.
I guess I took for granted that you have tried ZMA. That would be a good suggestion to if you have not.
I have a similar problem right now with the low carb diet I am following, I can fall asleep at night but I have a hard time staying asleep, and when I wake up I can’t fall back asleep (unless I eat some carbs, then I fall back asleep with no problems). I eat a lot of vegtables (broccoli, spinich, celery, cauiflower) and I also take potassium gluconate. Any suggestions?
Edit: I take ZMA every night (have been for a while now) and have been considering Z-12
[quote]visionary wrote:
When I am dieting and keeping my carbs low I cannot sleep at all. I have tried melatonin, gaba, 5htp, valerian, and so on. I have even used Advil PM which did work though I would rather not rely on it every night to fall asleep.
If I get up and actully eat some carbs such as a bowl of cereal I am out like a light though I am killing my low carb diet at that point.
Has anyone had this problem or can anyone suggest a solution…Thanks.[/quote]
According to Paul Check a couple of factors that may be disrupting your sleep cycle outside of the diet include:
1.Stimulants (ok this is fairly obvious)
2.Electromagnetic pollution
3.Entrainment
Things which can be helpful:
1.Get to sleep by 10:30
2.minimize your exposure to bright lights (sleep in a room where it is completely dark)
3.avoid consumption of stimulants after lunch
4.eat right for your metabolic type
5.make sure you are drinking plenty of h2O
6.unplug all electrical appliances in your room (if possible) including lights, tv’s, and clocks
7.make sure you are not overdoing it in the gym. While intense training is where it is at steady state long term cardio and drawn out workouts can raise cortisol making it harder to get to sleep.
8.supplement ZMA (even if you sleep well)
If you are still having trouble falling asleep you may want to consider a detox as the problem could be too many hamful bacteria in your system.
Finally, I have posted this before but, it may help:
Waking between 11 and 1 would indicate reactive hypoglycemia (likely the case here as you are on a low carb diet)
1 to 3 liver toxicity
3 to 5 deficient in antioxidants
Hope this helps
Ya I do take ZMA. Sometimes I feel it helps me fall asleep though, like waldo, there are time I fall asleep, wake up, and I cant fall back asleep.
I will try to get rid of all lights and distractions. I do tend to try and sleep with the TV on though I have heard that hinders sleeping patterns.
I have considered Z12 though I am hesitant since I have tried so many other supps.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Found myself awake before on low carb diet. ended up getting up at 2 am for an apple, some dry cereal and a tin of salmon. Just could not sleep until I had a little sugar.
When ever I low carb, I can’t sleep either. Its something I just deal with. I made an effort to try to get to sleep a little earlier than usual, that helped somewhat. Then I started dieting with a moderate carb approach, I now sleep like a baby. Why are you low carbing? If you can get away with eating some carbs here and there, I’d do it, it will at least make your sleeping improve.
The reason I am following a low carb diet right now is to try to get rid of the last bit of fat on my lower back (love handles) and around my belly button. Being a ffb I figured a low carb diet would be the best way to get rid of the last bit of stubborn fat (plus I am pretty sure was/still am a little insulin sensative).
try to concentrate your carbs around bed time or with your last meal. for this usually means low carb all day and then a big salad at dinner. requires less planning and is quite effective.