Myths vs facts: Nährstoffcheck and Schlaf

Myths vs. facts: Nutrient check and sleep. A common myth is that a single nutrient test (e.g., from blood or saliva) can directly diagnose or fix sleep problems. Fact: Sleep is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones (melatonin, cortisol), neurotransmitters, lifestyle, and environment. A nutrient check can reveal deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, or iron that may indirectly affect sleep quality – but it is not a sleep diagnostic tool. Another myth: 'High melatonin levels in saliva mean good sleep.' In reality, salivary melatonin tests are time-dependent and not standardized; they provide only rough guidance. The claim that supplements based solely on a genetic test (e.g., MTHFR, COMT) can optimize sleep is weakly supported by science. Evidence is mostly mechanistic or from small studies. A nutrient check can be useful as part of a comprehensive sleep assessment, but it does not replace medical evaluation for chronic insomnia. Beware of marketing that promises simple fixes.