💤🧬 A new study from the National University of Singapore (NUS) reveals that a natural supplement, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), could improve sleep quality in older adults, especially those with poor sleep patterns, while also benefiting their gut microbiome. 🌙🌱
💤 The Sleep Struggle for Older Adults
Good sleep is essential for maintaining overall health. Yet, a 2022 mental health study reported that around 17% of older adults (aged 65 and above) in Singapore suffer from poor sleep quality, which has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases and cognitive decline 📉.
While there are pharmaceutical sleep aids available, they often come with unwanted side effects like digestive problems and headaches 😖. This has led to growing interest in natural solutions for improving sleep quality without the risks. 🌿
🌿 The Power of 5-HTP
The NUS research team, led by Assistant Professor Kim Jung Eun and Adjunct Associate Professor Johnson Fam, conducted a 12-week clinical trial on 30 older adults to evaluate the effects of 5-HTP supplementation on both sleep quality and gut health. 👩🔬👨🔬
5-HTP is an amino acid that the body naturally converts into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. 🧠✨
- What they found: 5-HTP significantly improved sleep quality, particularly among poor sleepers. It also increased the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria, which are important for gut health 🦠. This connection between the gut and sleep may be key to understanding how 5-HTP works. 🤔
- According to Clarinda Nataria Sutanto, the first author of the study, “Supplementation with 5-HTP can enhance sleep quality and promote a state of sleepiness by modulating neurotransmitters involved in the sleep-wake cycle.” 🌛
🦠 The Gut-Brain Connection
The study also highlighted the gut-brain axis — the bidirectional interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system. Researchers found that poor sleepers experienced an increase in gut microbiota diversity, which may be responsible for their improved sleep. 🧠💡
Professor Kim notes that the study’s findings support the use of alternative, safer dietary strategies over medication to improve sleep. 🌿💤
🔬 Next Steps for the Research Team
Encouraged by these results, the researchers are now looking into other dietary strategies to further enhance sleep quality. They hope to expand their studies to younger individuals who experience poor sleep due to stress, anxiety, or excessive use of electronic devices 📱.
With more research, natural supplements like 5-HTP could offer a safer, effective way to promote better sleep and gut health. 🧘♂️💤
Stay tuned for more updates on how natural supplements are reshaping the future of sleep and health! 🌿🌙
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