Doctor says waking up between 2 am and 3 am frequently may be a health warning sign that something isn't right
If a person sleeps well at night, they might have more energy to finish important tasks throughout the day. But many people don't get to have that for a wide variety of reasons. According to a doctor, waking up in the middle of the night or having difficulty sleeping might mean that something is not quite right with a person's health. Dr. Eric Berg, DC, shared several causes behind poor sleep quality and exactly what someone can do to fix those things.
Dr. Berg shared that there could be an underlying reason behind waking up between 2 and 3 AM at night. He pointed out that he considers himself an "expert" in insomnia as he has suffered from the condition for over a decade. The "unique" thing about 2 AM is the circadian rhythm, where cortisol should be at its lowest point. The highest point of cortisol should be reached around 8 AM, but for the doctor, everything was backwards. He was "very, very awake at 2 but was extremely tired at 8 AM." The man revealed that prescription medication for sleep can actually increase a person's cortisol level instead of actually helping them. One thing that could really help is magnesium. "Magnesium has the ability to lower cortisol and your cortisol can go up if you are deficient in magnesium." It could also help people relax their muscles.
A person might want to take magnesium before bed if they are deficient. Restless leg syndrome and twitching could also be signs of a magnesium deficiency. "Another thing that can make a person wake up at 2 AM could be a low blood sugar situation." If someone's diet is high in carbohydrates, they might experience low blood sugar at night. As the body attempts to raise that, "it will raise it with cortisol." A diet high in carbohydrates and starches could also create a magnesium deficiency, according to the doctor. He pointed out that one should evaluate what they ate the day before to understand why they couldn't sleep at night. MSG and alcohol can be other deterrents to sleep as well.
If a person craves salty foods or chips at night, they might be deficient in sodium. It helps lower cortisol, but when one is deficient, their cortisol levels might rise. Dr. Berg suggested that people should add enough sea salt to their food throughout the day so they no longer crave sodium at night. Another reason why a person might be struggling with sleep between 2 AM and 3 AM could be something affecting their liver. "The liver is the organ that detoxifies between 1 AM and 3 AM. It could be related to alcohol or any medication." If the liver is trying to get rid of that, it could disrupt sleep.
Other deficiencies, like B1 and potassium deficiency, can cause disruptions in sleep as well. If a person's potassium is low or if their "pH is too acidic," they might experience a higher pulse rate as well. Dr. Berg suggested things like reading a book, going for a long walk in the morning, exercising, and getting enough sun exposure throughout the day to sleep better. Apple Cider Vinegar might help people with fluctuating blood sugar levels. He also suggested that a person should avoid eating late at night to sleep better.