Sleep Drugs FDA Warns of Side Effects While Natural Minerals

Offer an Alternative Remedy

The U.S. FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) recently updated their web
page that describes the many potential side
effects of sleeping drugs. On their site, they
state that Complex behaviors are a potential
side effect of sedative-hypnotic products a
class of drugs used to help a person fall
asleep and stay asleep.
These include making phone calls, sleepeating, and getting into the car and driving
while not fully awake. Most people do not
remember these events later.
Russell Katz, M.D., Director of the FDAs Division of Neurology Products says, Complex
behaviors, such as sleep-driving, could be potentially dangerous to both the patients and
to others.
Other rare but potential side effects of sedative-hypnotic drugs are a severe allergic
reaction and severe facial swelling, both of which can occur as early as the first time the
product is taken. Katz says, Severe allergic reactions can affect a patients ability to
breathe and can affect other body systems as well, and can even be fatal at times.
To make the serious risks of these products better known, the FDA requested earlier that
all manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic drug products strengthen their product labeling to
include warnings about complex sleep-related behaviors. The revised labeling affects
the following drug products:
* Ambien, Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate)
* Butisol sodium
* Carbrital (pentobarbital and carbromal)
* Dalmane (flurazepam hydrochloride)
* Doral (quazepam)
* Halcion (triazolam)
* Lunesta (eszopiclone)
* Placidyl (ethchlorvynol)
* Prosom (estazolam)
* Restoril (temazepam)
* Rozerem (ramelteon)
* Seconal (secobarbital sodium)
* Sonata (zaleplon)
From a nutritional perspective, several research studies have shown certain minerals to
be effective alternatives to help people fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: A lack of the

nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be
able to return to sleep.
The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis discusses minerals as an insomnia remedy in
her book Lets Get Well. She says: A calcium deficiency often shows itself by insomnia,
another form of an inability to relax. The harm done by sleeping tablets, to say nothing of
the billions of dollars spent on them, could largely be avoided if the calcium intake were
adequate.
Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study, published in the European
Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during
some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. The
study concluded that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep
or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal
course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.
In magnesium deficiency, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep
is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high
magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep.
This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research
Center in North Dakota. The study was titled Effects of trace element nutrition on sleep
patterns in adult women. Its important to note that a balanced ratio of calcium and
magnesium is beneficial to overall health, and that these two minerals should be taken
together in a 2 to 1 ratio for best results.
Jobee Knight, a nutritional researcher and founder of Nutrition Breakthroughs in
Glendale, CA., is someone who fought her own battle against sleeplessness and
insomnia. She decided to put her background to use by searching out effective natural
ingredients for relaxation and deeper sleep. The result was Sleep Minerals II.
This natural sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the
best minerals for sleep and insomnia, as well as heart health, restless leg syndrome,
bone strength, and menopause insomnia. The formula also includes vitamin D and zinc,
and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly
absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
L.R.C. of Massachusetts says: Due to some very stressful issues in my life, I hadnt
slept much in two and a half months before being prescribed sleeping drugs. I had
become dependent on them and couldnt sleep without them. I did my research on the
Internet and came across Sleep Minerals II. I take two before bed and now I can sleep
through the whole night without drugs. If I do have to get up, I can fall right back asleep.
Another benefit is it also helps alleviate my chronic fatigue and aches and pains.
Sleeping drugs can wreak havoc on ones health and well-being and cause lifethreatening side effects. The right blend of natural minerals can be an effective natural
insomnia remedy that helps the sleepless get some good rest.
For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.