If it’s 2am and you’re reading this article in hopes of finding a solution to your endless tossing and turning, you’re not alone: around 60 per cent of Australian adults suffer from some form of sleep disorder, including insomnia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Unfortunately, chronic sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences. One study published in the journal Sleep found that sleeping less than seven hours per night on a regular basis doubles your mortality risk and sleeping less than six hours quadruples your risk.
But there may be more to blame than your stressful lifestyle, graveyard shift work, or staying glued to your smartphone while lying in bed. “An often overlooked factor in sleep problems is a vitamin deficiency,” says physician, Dr Arielle Levitan. “We need adequate levels of key nutrients to get good quality sustained sleep.” Following are some of the best-known vitamins and minerals that could help you get the ZZZs you need.