Lack of exposure to sunlight might explain why sleep disturbances grow more common as people age, researchers in Japan suggest.
In a study of 10 nursing home residents with insomnia, investigators found that increasing the residents' exposure to light improved their sleeping patterns.
The dose of brightness also increased their production of the melatonin, a hormone believed to help regulate sleep. Some, but not all, research suggests melatonin production declines with age, and that melatonin supplements may combat insomnia.
The researchers then exposed the patients to 4 hours of bright, artificial light at midday for 4 weeks -- roughly equal to the normal light exposure of the young control group. The investigators found that the extra light sent the elderly patients' melatonin production to a level similar to the young group's, and improved their sleep quality.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism January 2001;86:129-134
We all need about one hour of daylight to stay healthy and sleep is a large part of the reason why. If you have a problem with insomnia and have not read our insomnia guidelines yet I would strongly urge you to do so. I am not a huge fan of melatonin and would not advise its regular use as a sleeping aid.
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