The Real Reasons We Have Trouble Sleeping

Functional Medicine is all about looking at the way our systems function together, rather than focusing on one part of the body at a time. The steps you take to support whole-body health work in the same way. Diet, exercise, stress reduction—they simultaneously affect more than just one aspect of your health—and new research has revealed that choices around these things can have major impacts on our sleep, and how that cycles back to support overall optimal health.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Todd LePine to discuss why so many of us experience issues related to our sleep and what we can do about it.

Dr. LePine graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Integrative Functional Medicine. He is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center, he worked as a physician at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, for 10 years. Dr. LePine’s focus at The UltraWellness Center is to help his patients achieve optimal health and vitality by restoring the natural balance to both the mind and the body. His areas of interest include optimal aging, bio-detoxification, functional gastrointestinal health, systemic inflammation, autoimmune disorders and the neurobiology of mood and cognitive disorders. Dr. LePine teaches around the world, and has given lectures to doctors and patients at American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG), the University of Miami Integrative Medicine Conference, The Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA, and is on the faculty for American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Dr. LePine is the head of the Scientific Advisory Board for Designs for Health and a consultant for Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. He enjoys skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping and golfing in the beautiful Berkshires, and is a fitness enthusiast.

[TheKingdomWeigh]

I wake up feeling rested, but I sleep a Bi-Phasic sleep, like 10-2am, awake 2-4 then sleep till 8am. I’m retired now so I’m able to do that, when I worked I always had an afternoon slump. I love my night wake time, it’s quiet, I usually listen to the Bible or podcast.

[makenametje]

I probably have trouble sleeping bc I’m watching this at 3am instead of trying to sleep 😂 good video though, thank you, needed this 🙏🏼

[TheArmanu]

Mark, would you mind please stop interrupting your visitor. We wanted to hear from him finish his statement. Thank you again😂

[saharyandria]

Get sunshine 20 minutes during the day, take a walk for 30 min, sing loud during the day, and take a deep breath few times a day and before bed time. Take magnesium and vitamin C together in the evening.

[johnnycapps]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing when he was talking with Dr Valter longo. He constantly was interrupting him while he was in the middle of a sentence giving some good information and then once the doctor started talking again he wasn't even talking about what he was talking about before he was rudely interrupted by Dr Mark

[blainekerns]

I have found can't miss for sleeping. Cold therapy!! I accidentally came upon this as I consistently read about how cold showers or cold water immersion will replace weak and old mitochondria. I was experimenting with when I noticed a heavy tiredness, but a peaceful tiredness, came over me after a cold shower in the evening. But, cold immersion is the most amazing sleep aid. Consistently!!! I am blessed to live beside a very cold stream of water coming from the mountains. I plunge in to my neck as late as possible every night. There are many other benefits but the sleep was the first hugh benefit I discovered, accidentally!!!

[rodmoses]

Magnesium glycinate, daytime sun exposure, adequate sea salt and stop using
devises after 7pm.

[relydbrowning]

I once had a patient told me if I want a good nite sleep, eat a slice or 2 of cheese! And believe it or not. I sleep thru out the night & wake up feeling fully rested 😁

[charlespratt]

Another thumbs up for Magnesium Bisglycinate. Spent a year with worsening sleep issues. Fixed on the second night after 400mg a half hour before bed.

[shelleysanders]

Apart from sleep disorders (e.g. apnoea) or substance abuse, hypersomnia/insomnia can be caused by having too much stress in our 'stress bucket' (Hippocampi). Thus positive thought/action/interaction & exercise helps us 'empty the stress bucket' so we sleep properly.. (I.e. poor sleep resulting from stress disorders)

[shawngates]

dr lepean may be the best dr in the world.i have watched hundreds of doctors on line this guy knows his stuff.thanks for being so devoted.

[tonyosime]

I was just about switch to another video because of all the host interruptions when I checked the comments and was pleasantly surprised to find others with the same sentiment.
How do you decide the right balance in the conversation?
1) If my interruption is about me - refrain
2) If my interruption helps the viewer - proceed
3) If my interruption is an insightful question - proceed.

[diannegilbert]

Dr. Hymen doesn’t let Dr. Lipin talk much. I would like to see a podcast of only Dr. Lipin.

[colleenmoore]

I agree with Dr Lepine! Sunrise is so important for circadian rhythm and hormone production. Melatonin production starts in the morning. Dr Jack Kruse has lots of information on the subject.

[mauriceupton]

Turn on colour to negitive mode in visual accessibility mode helps reduce glare saves batteries too
On windows and android too.
Go to bed early before 10pm.

[jeaninep]

Mark, please stop interrupting your guests. I wanted to hear your guest finish his thought a few time but you did not allow him to. Lost info.

[basiabarbara]

There was a lot of very important information, about lifestyle and nutrition, and how those affect our sleep pattern, so thank you for that. But I think, there is missing link, which is essential. And it’s about trauma and chronic stress, especially in early childhood - they are the major factors and “promotors” for sleep problems later in life. It would be even more informative if this fact was included in the topic.

[alokranjan]

I never engaged myself in day hours in exploring the world but when night starts, the peaceful darkness stimulate me for peaceful exploration and that exploration give me a mental peace.

[lulazeta]

I NOTICE DR. HYMAN LIKES TO INTERRUPT DR. LEPINE ... SO AS TO INTRODUCE COMEDY...BUT THIS TOPICS DO NOT NEED "SALT" TO MAKE THEM INTERESTING. GREAT MESSAGE AND GREAT PROGRAM ALWAYS.

[Lucypearla]

Anxiety is a massive issue just now, I’m surprised it was overlooked. Anxiety around the pandemic, causing sleep loss, which in turn provokes anxiety around sleep loss, especially when we hear about the problems it can cause for the brain.