Monograph

Encourage rest and relaxation with a triple-nutritional combination. NUTRA Sleep’s combination of L-Theanine, Melatonin, and Lemon Balm may quiet your mind and contribute to the peaceful night’s rest that your body needs to awake with renewed energy.
 

Description

NUTRA Sleep includes a patented formula of L-Theanine (Suntheanine®), Melatonin, and Lemon Balm (Cyracos®). Naturally found in green tea, L-Theanine makes up 50% of the amino acid properties in this plant. L-Theanine increases alpha-brain wave activity, which promotes a relaxed state of mind. Melatonin, naturally synthesized in the pineal gland and gastrointestinal tract, is involved in regulating the body’s sleep-cycle. Lemon Balm has calming properties that decrease feelings of stress and anxiety.

Research

L-Theanine

L-Theanine can effectively reduce stress and anxiety by reducing the nervous system's stress-response. One study showed it can reduce the heart rate in participants exposed to stress related tasks,[1] while the calming effects may also aid blood pressure levels.

Another study gave 48 healthy adults 200 mg of L-Theanine, 250 mg of caffeine, both, or neither. Blood pressure was monitored before administration and starting 40 minutes after intake. Results indicated L-Theanine reduced blood pressure levels that were raised by caffeine, concluding L-Theanine may be useful in normalizing blood pressure and alleviating anxiety.[2]

Lemon Balm

As an aromatic plant, lemon balm is traditionally used in Europe to flavor recipes. The benefits are also therapeutic, as lemon balm has an anxiolytic action that naturally reduces stress.[3]

Researchers gave 18 healthy subjects lemon balm (300 to 600 mg) or a placebo, followed by a 7-day washout period. Individuals that took lemon balm had a significant decrease in anxiety and increase in serenity.[4] Another study recruited 24 healthy volunteers to take a combination of lemon balm and valerian. Researchers found the combination had anxiolytic action that decreased the feelings of stress.[5] Sedative properties in lemon balm have also been shown to induce sleep in mice.[6]

Melatonin

Low levels of melatonin in the blood can cause a disturbance in the circadian rhythm, as it is a main component of the sleep-wake cycle.[7] A research review suggests melatonin supplementation is effective in normalizing circadian rhythm.[8] It can adjust the sleep cycle among individuals with jet lag, varied work schedules, or nighttime shift work.3

Poor sleep quality is a common complaint among older individuals, as melatonin production may become impaired. One study found melatonin supplementation (2 mg) improved sleep and morning alertness in 170 subjects (55 years and older) with poor sleep quality. In addition, discontinuing melatonin did not cause withdrawal symptoms.[9] Furthermore, melatonin was given to 51 patients with cognitive disabilities and sleep disturbances finding it improved the onset of sleep and increased total sleep time.[10]

Several studies have indicated melatonin is safe and effective for children with sleep disturbances. A double-blind study recruited 62 children (6 to 12 years old) with sleep problems to take melatonin (5 mg) or a placebo at night. The melatonin group showed improvements in their sleep cycle, as they fell asleep faster and awoke more refreshed.[11]

One study reviewed melatonin's benefits on sleep disturbances in 105 hyperactive children, ages 6 to 12 years. A four-week administration of melatonin (3 or 6 mg) helped to restore the circadian rhythm and enhanced sleep time.[12]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one capsule prior to sleep, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

L-Theanine – 50 mg to 200 mg per day

Lemon Balm – 395 mg per day

Melatonin - 0.3 mg to 3 mg nightly for sleep disturbance or jet lag

Precautions

The maximum safe dosages of the nutrients in this formula have not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

L-Theanine - Use of L-Theanine in conjunction with chemotherapy should be done only under the supervision of a qualified physician.

Lemon Balm – There are no known adverse reactions with proper supplementation.

Melatonin - Do not take melatonin if you have liver disease, neurological disorders (seizures, etc.), or depression.

DO NOT use in conjunction with alcohol

DO NOT operate machinery or drive a motor vehicle while taking this product as it may cause drowsiness. Taking too much may cause morning grogginess or undesired drowsiness. This product is not intended for use by anyone under 25 years of age. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a physician prior to using this product.

Drug Interactions

Consult a physician before taking NUTRA Sleep, as the following key nutrients may interact with certain medications.

L-Theanine - Doxorubicin and Idarubicin: Side effects of these drugs may be enhanced with L-Theanine supplementation.

Lemon Balm - There are no known interactions with proper supplementation.

Melatonin - Fluvoxamine (Luvox); Corticosteroids; Sedating drugs (benzodiazepines, etc.); Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); Warfarin (Coumadin); Interleukin-2

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Kimura, K, Ozeki, M, Juneja, LR, Ohira, H. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2007; 74(1):39-45.

[2] Rogers, PJ, Smith, JE, Heatherley, SV, Pleydell-Pearce, CW. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and Theanine administered alone and together. Psychopharmacology. 2008 Jan; 195(4):569-577.

[3] Weeks BS. Formulations of dietary supplements and herbal extracts for relaxation and anxiolytic action: Relarian. Med Sci Monit. 2009; 15(11):RA256-262.|

[4] Kennedy DO, Little W, Scholey AB. Attentuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Psychosom Med. 2004; 66:607-613.

[5] Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa ofcinalis and Valeriana ofcinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytotherapy Research. 2006; 20(2):96-102.

[6] Soulimani R, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991; 57:105–109.

[7] Pandi-Perumal, SR, Srinivasan, V, Spence, DW, Cardinali, DP. Role of the melatonin system in the control of sleep: therapeutic implications. CNS Drugs. 2007; 21(12):995-1018.

[8] Gooneratne, NS. Complementary and alternative medicine for sleep disturbances in older adults. Clin Geriatr Med. 2008 Feb; 24(1):121-138.

[9] Lemoine, P, Nir, T, et al. Prolonged-release melatonin improves sleep quality and morning alertness in insomnia patients aged 55 years and older and has no withdrawal effects. J Sleep Res. 2007 Dec; 16(4):372-380.

[10] Braam, W, Didden, R, et al. Melatonin treatment in individuals with intellectual disability and chronic insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled study. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2008 Mar; 52(3):256-264.

[11] Smits, MG, Van Stel, HF, et al. Melatonin improves health status and sleep in children with idiopathic chronic sleep-onset insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003 Nov; 42(11):1286-1293.

[12] Van der Heijden, KB, Smits, MG, et al. Effect of melatonin on sleep, behavior, and cognition in ADHD and chronic sleep-onset insomnia. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007 Feb; 46(2):233-241.