The Basics Of Sleep

We spent up to one-third of our lives asleep. Although some hard-driven people may view sleep as an inconvenience that curtails productivity and leisure activities, slumber is certainly no waste of time. In fact, sleep may play a more crucial role than diet or exercise in fostering optimal health.
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Lifestyle Changes Restore Sleep

Jerry, a 47-year-old print shop owner, had not slept more than three hours a night for years. Lately, he started having spasms in his legs at night, which further interfered with his sleep. During the waking hours, he was tired all the time and looked ten years older. He was also irritable and snapped at his employees and his family. He had chronic bloating and gas in his digestive tract, and he frequently alternated between constipation and diarrhea. His energy level was erratic, sometimes feverish and other times dropping lower than normal. He was very concerned about falling asleep while driving.
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The Physiological Function of Sleep

For years, scientists have debated the purpose of sleep. According to some evolutionary scientists, sleep evolved primarily as a survival mechanism. Before the discovery of fire, our early human ancestors were unable to see and avoid approaching dangers at night, such as stalking animals or precarious cliffs. Thus, humans—as well as all other animals—slept to keep themselves safe.
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ZZZ's Against Free Radicals

During the waking and sleeping hours, our bodies are exposed to numerous free radicals. Free radicals are normal products of metabolism and are also derived from pesticides, industrial pollutants, smoking, alcohol, viruses, most infections, allergies, stress, even certain foods and excessive exercise. Free radicals create oxidation, the same process that turns iron to rust and the exposed surfaces of sliced apples brown. They are “free” in the sense of being unattached: molecular loose cannons that combine with oxygen in the air to initiate the process of spoilage. Internally, the same sort of deterioration occurs. Free radicals attack cell membranes, often in a matter of minutes. To counter the effects of free radicals, our bodies manufacture or rely on outside sources of antioxidants, whose purpose is to scavenge for free radicals, bind with them, and eliminate them before they contaminate healthy cells. Toxins, however, impede this process by creating too many free radicals, which quickly deplete the body’s reserve of antioxidant nutrients.
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The Immune System: Don't Snooze,
You Lose

Antioxidants are not the body’s only defense against harmful substances roaming the body. The body is equipped with a potent immune system that identifies, attacks, and ultimately eliminates invading pathogens (antigens). During an immune response, white blood cells called T cels neutralize pathogens; other cells called B cells produce antibodies ; and still other immune cells release chemicals (such as histamine) into the bloodstream to aid in the removal of antigens from the body.
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