DABRUZZI: Daylight Savings doesn’t need to wreck your sleep

With Daylight Savings just around the corner, sleep is the first thing that comes to mind for many. While on Sunday, we will technically be getting an extra hour of sleep, the shift in time often causes lack of sleep during the following weeks while our bodies get used to the new schedule. For this reason, it is important to look at what you are eating and drinking and other things that you are doing throughout the day to ensure that you have the best night’s sleep possible.

One of the first things to look at it is what you are eating. Dairy foods are an excellent source of two nutrients linked to good rest: calcium and tryptophan. Research suggests that calcium deficiency can cause disturbed sleep patterns and lack of deep, or REM, sleep. Dairy foods are the top source of calcium in the American diet. Additionally, tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in protein-rich foods, helps to raise serotonin and melatonin levels in the body, both of which can help induce sleep.