Jarrow Sleep Optimizer, 60 Cap

What does Sleep Optimizer ™ do?

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Sleep Health Vegetarian Capsules
  • GABA, hops, valerian, tryptophan & melatonin
• Valerian + Hops = Reduced Sleep Latency*
• All Aspects of Sleep Addressed*
  • Relaxation, latency & biological clock
• Contains Brain Messengers & Precursors

Jarrow FORMULAS® Sleep Optimizer™ combines herbs and amino acids that work together to facilitate falling asleep and maintaining a regular sleep cycle.* Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), lemon balm, and L-Tryptophan promote relaxation.* The combination of valerian and hops flower has been studied for its effect on reducing latency (the delay before entry into sleep).* Melatonin is a hormone, secreted by the pineal gland that controls the biological clock and signals the entry into sleep.* Our biological clock can be disturbed by stress, crossing time zones, and changing work shifts.

Who Can Benefit From this Product?

Sleep Optimizer is for anyone experiencing agitation or sleep problems. May be helpful for people whose sleep has been altered by stress, jet lag or rotating work shifts.*

What Distinguishes this Product?

• Contains several natural substances that work together to promote sleep and restfulness.*
• Addresses all three stages of sleep*
• Provides many sleep related messengers and related building blocks in a single supplement.

How Does Each Active Ingredient Function in this Product?

GABA:   The principal inhibitory brain signal used to induce tranquility and promote restful sleep.*

Tryptophan:   Helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation as a precursor for serotonin (the feel-good messenger), and supports sleep as a precursor for melatonin.*

Melatonin:   A hormone that controls the biological clock and signals the entry into sleep.*

Hops:   Can help with nerves, anxiety and sleep. The combination of valerian and hops flower has been studied for reducing sleep latency (the delay before entry into sleep). *

Valerian:   Valued for its mild sedative and calming properties, having been used for thousands of years for sleep difficulties.*

Lemon balm:   Used widely to help reduce stress. Lemon balm herb and valerian work together to produce a relaxation effect.*

Sleep Optimizer™
Millions of Americans suffer from sleep difficulties, spending a fortune on sleeping pills. Yet, the root of sleep problems may be found in drugs (e.g., caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, statins), obesity or sedentary lifestyles. Many sleep difficulties respond to safe, inexpensive and noninvasive foods and supplements. A good sleep foundation starts with adequate intake of basic nutrients from quality food or basic vitamins, such as calcium, magnesium, B complex (vitamin B6, B12 and B5) and chromium. Beyond vitamins and minerals, several amino acids and herbs are documented as sleep aids.

Amino Acids
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid not found in proteins, but is abundant throughout the brain and spinal cord. Organisms synthesize GABA from glutamate using pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) as a cofactor. Interestingly, glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter (glutamate) and GABA is the principal inhibitory one, blocking cell-to-cell signaling in nerve cells. GABA improves sleep cycles and promotes restful sleep, and helps relieve the intensity of pain. GABA can induce tranquility in individuals who experience abnormal mania or agitation. Its effects are seen within 1 hour of its administration to induce relaxation, diminish anxiety and, perhaps due to these effects, enhance immunity under conditions of stress.*

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in the human diet, obtained from food or supplements. Besides being a building block for protein and the B vitamin, niacin, tryptophan functions as a precursor for serotonin and melatonin production with the help of vitamin B6. Serotonin is the chief “feel good” signal in the brain, with the help of vitamin B6. Low tryptophan levels are associated with mood disorders and may arise because of stress. Recent studies have shown that L-tryptophan has positive effects on mood and behavior. L-tryptophan supplementation promotes a more positive outlook.*

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, has the important role of inducing and maintaining sleep. Because L-tryptophan is converted to melatonin in the body, it plays an important role in promoting restful sleep.* The body’s natural supply of melatonin diminishes with age. Older people with sleep difficulties may correct this problem with either tryptophan or melatonin. Although indiscriminate supplementation of melatonin is not advisable, when used wisely, the hormone can pay big dividends for people with sleep problems. Melatonin also appears to have some use for jet lag and for people who work rotating or night shifts.*

Melatonin is practically nontoxic and appears to exhibit almost no side effects in the short term when healthy people take it at low doses. Taken 30-90 minutes before bedtime, it advances the period of melatonin’s presence in the blood to promote sleep.*

Herbal Remedies
Various herbs have been used to help promote sleep throughout recorded history. Traditionally used as teas, they are also available in dietary supplements.

Hops are the female flower cones of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), used primarily in flavoring beer. Besides its antioxidant and positive inflammation response activity, hops has been known to help with nerves, anxiety and sleep.*

Valerian is the herb prepared from the roots of the plant Valeriana officinalis. It has been valued for its mild sedative and calming roperties since the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greek physician, Galen, prescribed it as a remedy for sleep difficulties. The component of valerian extract most associated with sedation is GABA. Valerian is used for sleeping disorders, restlessness and anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant, as supported by a recent meta-analysis.* It works best when taken over several weeks, though the effects can be immediate. A valerian/hops combination was shown to reduce caffeine arousal, and to be an option for non-chronic and non-psychiatric sleep disorders in randomized, controlled trials.*

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L) is an herb in the mint family used widely as a mild sedative, memory-enhancer and antioxidant.* One clinical study has found it to be effective at reducing stress. Lemon balm herb and valerian work together for relaxation and anxiety reduction.*

Jarrow Formulas® Sleep Optimizer™ combines herbs and amino acids that work together to address all three stages of sleep by promoting relaxation, facilitating falling asleep and helping maintain a regular sleep cycle.*

Size: 60 Cap

Suggested Usage:
Take 2 capsules 30 minutes prior to bedtime, or as directed by your qualified health care consultant.

Warning:
Valerian can cause headaches and agitation in some individuals. Lemon balm may inhibit the absorption of
thyroid medication. DO NOT drive or operate machinery immediately following use of this product. DO NOT use if you are pregnant, lactating or under the age of 18. Anyone who has been diagnosed with MS, lymphoma, leukemia, diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, or uses MAO inhibitors (such as iproniazid) should not take Sleep Optimizer. DO NOT use if asthmatic. The melatonin in Sleep Optimizer may provoke an asthma attack in persons who already have asthma.

Other Ingredients:
Magnesium stearate (vegetable source and silicon dioxide. Capsule consists of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

No wheat, no gluten, no soybeans, no dairy, no egg, no fish/shellfish, no peanuts/tree nuts.

Keep out of the reach of children.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.