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The weather was sunny and the sun was warm.
On the weekend on the mountain road, Zhang Wei and his friend Li Bo, a senior doctor, were climbing a small hill.
Li Bo pointed to an old man on the hillside who was bending down to collect medicine, and suddenly said:
"Look at the old man, he is really agile, but the body's reaction when he sleeps at night is often a better reflection of a person's health. ”
Zhang Wei is a professional writer who also studies health topics on a daily basis, so he asked curiously: "Oh, what kind of reaction is it?"
Li Bo smiled and continued to explain: "For example, when I sleep at night, I often have cramps or involuntary shaking of my legs;
This can be a sign of a deficiency of certain minerals in the body, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. ”
"I see. Zhang Wei is recording and thinking, and such information may be helpful for his new book.
As the two moved on, Li Bo made another little-known point: "Also, the frequent nightmares and awakenings at night when sleeping may be related to the digestive system."
Many people don't realize that having a greasy or indigestion dinner can actually lead to a poor night's sleep. ”
Zhang Wei was very curious, he had never heard of such a connection between sleep quality and the digestive system.
"So, dinner should be lighter?"
"Yes, especially for the elderly, the digestive function is already weaker. Li Bo explained in detail that by this time they were already on the verge of reaching the top.
After reaching the top of the mountain, Zhang Wei and Li Bo rested on a large rock, and Li Bo continued his topic:
"I had a case before, a 70-year-old retired teacher who always had trouble sleeping at night, and when I checked it, it was found to be iron deficiency anemia and severe vitamin D deficiency. ”
"How do iron and vitamin D affect sleep?" asked Zhang Wei curiously.
"Iron is essential for the synthesis of dopamine, which in turn is an important neurotransmitter for sleep.
Vitamin D deficiency affects calcium absorption, which in turn affects the normal function of the nervous system. ”
Li Bo explained in detail that every point made Zhang Wei feel both shocked and excited, which was a great addition to the content of his book.
As they descended the mountain, the conversation shifted from specific symptoms to preventive measures.
"In fact, these problems can be greatly improved through diet and proper supplementation.
For example, you can eat some foods that contain iron and vitamin D for dinner, such as green leafy vegetables and fish. ”
I'll write about this in detail in my new book. Zhang Wei took notes as he walked, already thinking about the chapters and content layout of the book.
At the foot of the mountain, the discussion between the two came to an end.
Li Bo concluded: "Actually, many times, the subtle changes in the body are a reminder of what it needs, and we just need to listen more carefully. ”
Zhang Wei was inspired by this day's experience, and when he returned home in the evening, he began to organize what he had learned from the day and prepare it to be incorporated into the work he was about to write.
We often think that iron and vitamin D primarily affect blood and bone health, so how do they indirectly affect sleep by affecting the nervous system?
An in-depth analysis of the mechanism of action of iron and vitamin D in the human body and their specific effects on the nervous system is needed here.
Iron is known in the human body primarily for its role in the blood, and it is a key component of red blood cells that help transport oxygen throughout the body.
The normal functioning of the nervous system requires adequate oxygen and nutrients, and when iron is insufficient, it affects the oxygenation efficiency of the blood, and nerve cells cannot work properly due to lack of oxygen, thus affecting neurotransmission in sleep regulation.
Vitamin D's role is not limited to promoting calcium absorption and maintaining bone health, it is also involved in the growth of nerve cells and regulates a variety of neurotransmitters, including those in the brain.
When vitamin D is insufficient, neurotransmitter synthesis is blocked, which may affect mood and sleep patterns.
In this way, although the main functions of iron and vitamin D are not directly related to the nervous system, their effects on sleep occur indirectly by affecting the normal function of the nervous system.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!