Thanksgiving Day Naps
One of my favorite activities is to ponder, contemplate, and theorize about aspects of life. I have theories about people's behavior, hangovers, and other oddball ideas. Today I wanted to get scientific about my theories on Thanksgiving Day naps.
As I see it, there are six major reasons people get sleepy at Uncle Pete's house on Thanksgiving. Let's examine each one of these reasons and see which ones hold the most merit.
#1: Tryptophan
Every year, when people get sleepy, someone chimes in that it's all that tryptophan in the turkey making you sleepy. It's true, there is tryptophan in the turkey, and it's true that tryptophan is an amino acid that goes on to become serotonin and melatonin. Both of these chemicals can make you sleepy. The catch is that the average serving of Turkey, approximately 4 ounces, only has 2700mg of tryptophan. That is not much more than the average person is already consuming on a daily basis.
Verdict: Unlikely cause of a need to nap.
#2: Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Eating a large meal with copious amounts of carbohydrates, sugars, and possibly alcohol will stimulate a major blood sugar fluctuation in even the most metabolically fit of individuals. If you are insulin resistant, your blood sugar will spike but it can not get into the cells which then creates post-meal fatigue. If you are hypoglycemic, your blood sugar will also spike but instead of not getting into the cells, it gets burned too quickly and then you have a crash causing fatigue, it mite just be a bit later than insulin resistant Uncle Pete.
Verdict: Likely Suspect.
Support Suggestions:
Insulin Resistance:
Alpha Lipoic Acid 500mg, taken before you start eating.
Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tbsp, taken before the meal.
Take a walk after the meal.
Limit Carbohydrate intake.
Hypoglycemia:
Dietary Fiber 5g, taken with the onset of the meal.
Eleutherococcus senticosus 500 mg, taken in morning and before meal.
Have small meals before Thanksgiving Dinner.
Limit intake of carbohydrates.
#3 Parasympathetic Stimulation
When you eat, your parasympathetic nervous system is naturally stimulated to begin the digestive processes. This pathway also triggers the relaxation response, hence the term "rest and digest." In someone who is sympathetic dominant or has difficult digestion, this pathway can be over activated driving blood flow away from the brain and muscles and into the digestive pathway.
Verdict: Another likely culprit.
Suggestions:
Betaine HCl/Pepsin 500-1500mg with meals.
Pancreatic Enzymes taken 20-30 minutes before the meal.
Broad Spectrum Digestive Enzymes taken 20-30 minutes before the meal.
Eat slowly, chew well.
#4 Food Allergens
Many people deal with food sensitivities that have sub-clinical symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog. Common allergens include grains (gluten), dairy, histamine rich foods, and food additives.
Verdict: Likely accomplice.
Suggestions:
Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) an help to break down casein and gluten, taken as part of a digestive enzyme complex, 20-30 minutes before the meals
Avoid probable allergens.
Allermac Tincture, 1-3 droppers taken before the meal.
Diamine Oxidase, taken before the meal.
#5 Booze
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. You drink alcohol and you get sleepy, this one is straight forward.
Verdict: Likely accomplice.
Suggestions:
Molybdenum 300mcg with each beverage.
N-Acetyl Cysteine, 200-500mg taken in the morning.
Activated B-Complex
Activated Charcoal 1000mg, taken after imbibing.
Abstain.
#6 Burnout
This is a lifestyle habit when someone is focused on the "American Nightmare." They work themselves to death, hustle around to do all the things society says they need to do, their kids are over scheduled, and they can't say no to the third PTA meeting this week. Relaxation? Boundaries? These words are foreign to the burned out individual. Ever wonder why "It's A Wonderful Life" rings so true every holiday season? Burnout. When it comes time to finally slow down, spend time with family, and relax, a burned out person will shut down and fall asleep.
Verdict: Highly likely suspect.
Suggestions:
Learn relaxation exercises or meditation.
Ask yourself the existential questions: What is my purpose? What gives my life meaning? Why am I doing this activity?
Learn to set boundaries.
If you or a loved one suffers from the Thanksgiving Day Nap, consider these six ideas and their suggestions. Leave your comments on Facebook.
In health,
Martin C. Hart, DC, NASM-CES
This is not intended to diagnose or treat any conditions. Informational purposes only.
Google Images
As I see it, there are six major reasons people get sleepy at Uncle Pete's house on Thanksgiving. Let's examine each one of these reasons and see which ones hold the most merit.
#1: Tryptophan
Every year, when people get sleepy, someone chimes in that it's all that tryptophan in the turkey making you sleepy. It's true, there is tryptophan in the turkey, and it's true that tryptophan is an amino acid that goes on to become serotonin and melatonin. Both of these chemicals can make you sleepy. The catch is that the average serving of Turkey, approximately 4 ounces, only has 2700mg of tryptophan. That is not much more than the average person is already consuming on a daily basis.
Verdict: Unlikely cause of a need to nap.
#2: Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Eating a large meal with copious amounts of carbohydrates, sugars, and possibly alcohol will stimulate a major blood sugar fluctuation in even the most metabolically fit of individuals. If you are insulin resistant, your blood sugar will spike but it can not get into the cells which then creates post-meal fatigue. If you are hypoglycemic, your blood sugar will also spike but instead of not getting into the cells, it gets burned too quickly and then you have a crash causing fatigue, it mite just be a bit later than insulin resistant Uncle Pete.
Verdict: Likely Suspect.
Support Suggestions:
Insulin Resistance:
Alpha Lipoic Acid 500mg, taken before you start eating.
Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tbsp, taken before the meal.
Take a walk after the meal.
Limit Carbohydrate intake.
Hypoglycemia:
Dietary Fiber 5g, taken with the onset of the meal.
Eleutherococcus senticosus 500 mg, taken in morning and before meal.
Have small meals before Thanksgiving Dinner.
Limit intake of carbohydrates.
#3 Parasympathetic Stimulation
When you eat, your parasympathetic nervous system is naturally stimulated to begin the digestive processes. This pathway also triggers the relaxation response, hence the term "rest and digest." In someone who is sympathetic dominant or has difficult digestion, this pathway can be over activated driving blood flow away from the brain and muscles and into the digestive pathway.
Verdict: Another likely culprit.
Suggestions:
Betaine HCl/Pepsin 500-1500mg with meals.
Pancreatic Enzymes taken 20-30 minutes before the meal.
Broad Spectrum Digestive Enzymes taken 20-30 minutes before the meal.
Eat slowly, chew well.
#4 Food Allergens
Many people deal with food sensitivities that have sub-clinical symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog. Common allergens include grains (gluten), dairy, histamine rich foods, and food additives.
Verdict: Likely accomplice.
Suggestions:
Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) an help to break down casein and gluten, taken as part of a digestive enzyme complex, 20-30 minutes before the meals
Avoid probable allergens.
Allermac Tincture, 1-3 droppers taken before the meal.
Diamine Oxidase, taken before the meal.
#5 Booze
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. You drink alcohol and you get sleepy, this one is straight forward.
Verdict: Likely accomplice.
Suggestions:
Molybdenum 300mcg with each beverage.
N-Acetyl Cysteine, 200-500mg taken in the morning.
Activated B-Complex
Activated Charcoal 1000mg, taken after imbibing.
Abstain.
#6 Burnout
Google Images
This is a lifestyle habit when someone is focused on the "American Nightmare." They work themselves to death, hustle around to do all the things society says they need to do, their kids are over scheduled, and they can't say no to the third PTA meeting this week. Relaxation? Boundaries? These words are foreign to the burned out individual. Ever wonder why "It's A Wonderful Life" rings so true every holiday season? Burnout. When it comes time to finally slow down, spend time with family, and relax, a burned out person will shut down and fall asleep.
Verdict: Highly likely suspect.
Suggestions:
Learn relaxation exercises or meditation.
Ask yourself the existential questions: What is my purpose? What gives my life meaning? Why am I doing this activity?
Learn to set boundaries.
If you or a loved one suffers from the Thanksgiving Day Nap, consider these six ideas and their suggestions. Leave your comments on Facebook.
In health,
Martin C. Hart, DC, NASM-CES
This is not intended to diagnose or treat any conditions. Informational purposes only.
Comments
Post a Comment