Sleep is an essential part of our daily life, and it’s especially critical for maintaining good health as we age. However, the relationship between sleep and aging is complex, involving several key factors:

1. Changes in Sleep Patterns: As we age, our sleep patterns tend to change. Older adults may find that they have a harder time falling asleep and more trouble staying asleep than when they were younger. It’s also not uncommon for seniors to wake up frequently throughout the night.

2. Sleep Duration: Older adults still need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults – 7 to 9 hours per night. But, many people tend to sleep less as they get older because sleep can be lighter and more fragmented, leading to the perception that less sleep is required.

3. Sleep Disorders: Aging increases the risk of certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea (a condition that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep), and restless legs syndrome. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to significant sleep loss and associated health problems.

4. Impact of Poor Sleep on Health: Poor sleep in older adults can lead to a range of health problems. Studies have shown links between inadequate sleep and conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep can also negatively affect mood, memory, and cognitive function.

5. Role of Sleep in Brain Health: Good sleep is important for brain health at all ages. During sleep, the brain performs several maintenance tasks, including flushing out toxins, repairing cells, and consolidating memories. There’s increasing evidence that chronic poor sleep or disruptions to the sleep cycle can increase the risk of conditions like dementia.

To maintain good sleep hygiene as you age, it’s recommended to have a consistent sleep schedule, create a sleep-friendly environment, manage stress, stay active during the day, limit daytime naps, and avoid stimulants like caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. If you’re having persistent trouble sleeping, it’s important to talk to a doctor or a sleep specialist. They can help determine if a sleep disorder or another medical condition is affecting your sleep.

2 Analytes Tested

1. Cortisol (3 samples)
2. Melatonin

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, and it plays an essential role in a range of functions in the body. It’s often referred to as the “stress hormone” because its levels increase in response to stress. However, cortisol also follows a daily (circadian) rhythm, with levels typically highest in the early morning and lowest around midnight.

The relationship between cortisol and sleep is complex, and both can influence each other:

1. Cortisol and Sleep Onset: In healthy individuals, cortisol levels drop in the evening, reaching their lowest point around midnight. This decrease is thought to facilitate sleep onset. If cortisol levels are high in the evening, which may happen during periods of high stress, it can make it more difficult to fall asleep.

2. Sleep and Cortisol Awakening Response: Within 30-45 minutes of waking up, cortisol levels typically rise significantly. This is known as the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and is thought to help prepare the body for the upcoming day. However, if sleep is disrupted or inadequate, the CAR may be blunted or exaggerated.

3. Sleep Disruptions and Cortisol: Chronic sleep disruptions and sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea can impact cortisol patterns. This can lead to higher than normal cortisol levels, particularly in the evening and night, which can further disrupt sleep, creating a vicious cycle.

4. Impact on Health: Chronically elevated nighttime cortisol levels, often resulting from sleep disturbances or high stress, can contribute to a range of health issues, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, weight gain, and memory and concentration problems.

The interplay between cortisol and sleep highlights the importance of good sleep hygiene and stress management for maintaining healthy cortisol rhythms. Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, mindfulness practices, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule can all help to manage cortisol levels and improve sleep.

If you’re having persistent trouble sleeping, it’s important to talk to a doctor or a sleep specialist, as it could be a sign of a sleep disorder or another underlying health issue.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, and it plays a key role in regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. Here’s how it interacts with sleep:

1. Production and Release: The production and release of melatonin are influenced by light. In response to darkness, your body produces more melatonin, preparing you for sleep. On the other hand, light exposure, particularly blue light from electronic devices, can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.

2. Sleep Onset: The rise in melatonin levels in the evening helps to promote feelings of sleepiness and enables the onset of sleep. Once sleep is initiated, melatonin levels continue to rise slightly and then fall during the early morning hours.

3. Regulation of Sleep-Wake Cycle: Melatonin helps regulate your body’s internal clock, signaling when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. People who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep often have disrupted melatonin cycles.

4. Melatonin Supplements: For some individuals with insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, jet lag, or other sleep disturbances, doctors may recommend melatonin supplements to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. However, the effectiveness of melatonin supplements can vary, and it’s important to use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

5. Age and Melatonin: Melatonin production declines with age, which is one reason why older adults may struggle with sleep disturbances. However, more research is needed to determine whether melatonin supplementation is effective for age-related insomnia.

Remember that while melatonin plays a crucial role in sleep, good sleep hygiene is equally important. This includes maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a quiet and dark sleep environment, avoiding screens before bedtime, and engaging in regular physical activity. If you’re considering melatonin supplements, it’s essential to discuss this with a healthcare professional, as they can provide guidance based on your individual needs and circumstances.

• Saliva collected in the morning
• Saliva collected at noon time
• Saliva collected at 11 pm

24 – 72 hours

Price: $149.00