Why You Aren’t Sleeping – Dr. Stasha Gominak

I'm excited to sit down with Dr. Stasha Gominak. We talk about the importance of vitamin D levels, sleep issues, and much more. Make sure to listen to the full interview to learn more.

Dr. Stasha Gominak grew up and attended college in California, then moved to Texas for medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, where she received an MD degree in 1983. Her Neurology residency was done at the Harvard affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. From 1991-2004 she practiced as a general neurologist in the San Francisco Bay area.

In 2004, Dr. Gominak moved to Tyler, Texas, where she focused on treating neurological illnesses by enhancing sleep, publishing a significant article in 2012 linking worsening global sleep issues to decreased sun exposure. She introduced the RightSleep® method in a 2016 article, connecting poor sleep to changes in the intestinal microbiome and offering a straightforward approach to normalize sleep and gut bacteria. That same year, she retired from her neurology practice to dedicate more time to teaching, now splitting her efforts between conducting virtual coaching sessions and instructing clinicians and coaches on using RightSleep® principles to boost their patients' health and well-being.

We discuss the following:

0:00 Intro
1:40 All about Dr. Stasha Gominak
2:55 Addressing sleep issues
6:20 Hormones vs. vitamins
16:12 Importance of vitamin D levels
32:37 Connection between sleep and vitamin D
38:27 Thoughts on other nutritional deficiencies
53:48 Anti-inflammatory pathway
57:44 Troubleshooting when vitamin D supplements don't work
1:04:44 Impact of mold on sleep
1:12:18 Support for healthy sleep
1:18:51 Where to find Dr. Stasha Gominak

_____
RESOURCES

_____

_____
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

--------
FIND JUDY CHO:

--------
**DISCLAIMER: I am only here to provide support as a nutritional therapy practitioner and I am not providing medical advice. I always recommend working with a team of holistic practitioners, including your PCP and a certified nutritional therapy practitioner. Do not self-diagnose. Always seek medical guidance when you have a medical condition.

--------
#sleep #vitamind #carnivorediet​​ #inflammationreduction #inflammationrelief #autoimmuneprotocol #allmeatdiet​​ #highfatlowcarb​​ #yes2meat​​ #carnivorelife​​ #carbfree​​ #carnivorediet​​ #zerocarb​​ #zerocarbs​​ #worldcarnivoremonth #inflammation #carnivore # #immunehealth #cholesterol #protein #insulinresistance #aminoacids #chronicinflammation #autoimmunewellness #antiinflammatorydiet

[NannyOggins]

I must congratulate you Judy on your interview technique, so many podcasters invite a guest on their channel and spend the whole time interrupting them. You sit quietly and listen and only interject when they pause. This makes it so much easier for us to understand what’s being said.

[TreeOfWisdom]

Summary:

● Vitamin D: Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels, specifically between 60-80, as it plays a crucial role in regulating sleep. The type of vitamin D recommended is not explicitly stated, but it is mentioned that tracking the active form of vitamin D is important.
● Gut Microbiome: Ensuring a healthy gut microbiome, as it is essential for producing neurotransmitters that support sleep. A balanced diet, such as a carnivore diet, and supplements like probiotics can help maintain a healthy gut.
● Reducing Exposure to Toxins: Minimizing exposure to toxins like glyphosate, mold, and sulfates, which can negatively impact sleep and overall health.
● Mind-Body Connection: Recognizing the impact of mind-body connections and mood imbalances on sleep. Addressing these issues through stress management and emotional regulation can help improve sleep.
● Environmental Factors: Creating a sleep-conducive environment, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding screens before bedtime.
● Supplements: Considering supplements like magnesium, B vitamins, and iron, which can help support sleep. However, it is essential to note that supplements should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
● Avoiding Over-Supplementation: Being cautious not to over-supplement, as this can lead to an imbalance of essential nutrients.
● Balanced Biochemistry: Striving for balanced biochemistry, which involves maintaining optimal levels of various nutrients and hormones that support sleep.
● Symptomatology: Paying attention to symptomatology, as it can provide valuable insights into underlying issues affecting sleep.
● Professional Guidance: Working with a healthcare professional to identify and address underlying issues affecting sleep, as individual needs may vary.

Several points are mentioned regarding glyphosate, mold, sulfates, and oxalates:

Glyphosate:

● Glyphosate is mentioned as a substance that "kills our microbiome" and is sprayed on foods, which can have a negative impact on gut health.
● Some people are trying to "talk to the government and the people who produce this" to address its potential health effects.

Mold:

● Mold exposure is discussed as a factor that can impact vitamin D levels, with the possibility that mold "eats up the vitamin D and it doesn't ever get into her body."
● Mold is also mentioned as affecting the pituitary gland, thyroid release, and the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which is also known as the "master hormone" in the chronic inflammatory response syndrome community.
● Exposure to mold can lead to a range of negative health effects, including impacting sleep.

Sulfates:

● Sulfates, particularly those found in soaps and detergents, are mentioned as potentially affecting the gut lining and exacerbating gut issues.
● Research is being conducted on the impact of sulfates on the gut lining, with some studies suggesting that they can be "just as bad on the cell lining of your gut as if you have IBD" (inflammatory bowel disease).

Oxalates:

● Oxalates are mentioned as a substance that the human body may not be able to handle properly due to the loss of specific species of gut bacteria that were able to break them down.
● It is suggested that even if people ate a lot of oxalates in the past, the gut bacteria were able to "eat it up" and prevent huge amounts from being absorbed.
● The food system has changed, and many plants today contain higher levels of oxalates, which can be problematic for people who are already struggling with gut health issues.

H. pylori is mentioned in the context of atrophic gastritis and B12 deficiency. It is stated that Vitamin D is the primary player that went low, limiting the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which is related to the development of these conditions. This suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may be a contributing factor to the development of H. pylori and related conditions, rather than the bacteria itself being the sole cause.

To improve sleep:

● Vitamin D levels: Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is crucial for sleep. The ideal level of vitamin D is between 60-80, and levels above 80 may not be necessary.
● Microbiome health: A healthy gut microbiome is essential for sleep. This can be achieved through a balanced diet, probiotics, and gut supports.
● Diet: A carnivore diet or a diet that includes meat may be beneficial for sleep. However, it's not the only answer, and other factors like vitamin D and microbiome health should also be considered.
● Magnesium and minerals: Magnesium and other minerals may help improve sleep, but their effectiveness may vary from person to person.
● Reducing exposure to mold: Mold exposure can negatively impact sleep, and reducing exposure to mold can help improve sleep quality.
● Creating a sleep-conducive environment: A dark, quiet, and cool sleep environment can help improve sleep quality.
● Managing stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can negatively impact sleep, and managing these factors through relaxation techniques or therapy may help improve sleep.
● Avoiding glyphosate: Glyphosate, a common herbicide, can negatively impact the gut microbiome and sleep. Avoiding exposure to glyphosate may help improve sleep.
● Supplementing with B vitamins: B vitamins, especially B5, B6, and B12, may help improve sleep quality.
● Getting enough sunlight: Getting enough sunlight exposure during the day can help regulate the body's circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality.

My advice: try 200 mg Niacin (vitamin B3) before bed.

[Avoid_Low_Frequency]

Known of Dr Gominak for a very long time because I worked as a Neuro nurse in ICU in East Texas. She was progressive and ahead of her time. I always loved her personality

[sydneyknutsen]

What a most excellent tutorial for the lay person on D and sleep disturbances. This was a delightful experience. I’m a 73 yr old female ketovore who wakes up at 2 am and can’t return to sleep 2-3 times a week! A new journey toward root cause has just begun. And I sure need help.

[LauraCain-yf]

I found this angel of a doctor during Covid!!!! I learned so much. I found out I was very low in D. I had to request the labs from online provider. I felt so badly and had no idea!!! Plus, I felt better almost immediately after I started on B complex, D3, and estrogen.

[virginiavinyard]

I am sure I was guided to listen to THIS PODCAST. I am in so much trouble and I know my body has been trying to tell me my Dr. is not open minded and conversations about this area don’t happen. I could feel the fear in her office during Covid. It told me everything I needed to know without any details.
So I am just a mess and haven’t slept all night since the first rabbit hole 2019.
I’ve had my blood work done by her going to see what’s up with my kidneys scared I’ve gone so long they are damaged. I self diagnosed that I wasn’t getting the nutrients out of my food and worked on my enzyme and learned more about the track our food takes. So the weight loss has stopped but my teeth are going bad now. Such a downhill track. I’m going now to follow up on what you shared about the vitamin side to it all. It did say my D was low and I’m a widow with a farm and I’m outside constantly so I was puzzled by that. The other thing that scares me is my muscles are disappearing as a bag of feed is a push and it use to be just heavy..
thanks for your dedication and I will follow you both with hope. Virginia from Virginia

[thelittlemaldos]

What a beautiful quote “Our bodies are exquisitely complicated” ❤… yes

[_Oz_]

Yes! I used her sleep program a few years ago to improve my sleep, balance my vitamin supplements, and optimize my lab results.

[ruzicavasiljevic]

Bravo bravo I am 64 english second language but, im amazed what I learned tonight with you. Thank you so much. I believe from tomorrow I will sleep. better. I will be less negative.More
Happy with my self because I know this Feeling, Believe on yourself.Believe on your gut listening body, it's very important❤

[snowwhite]

Interesting interview today. I was hoping it may cover sleep on keto, low carb or carnivore, and when it actually becomes worse, and doesn't improve. Whenever I bring my carbs very low, I cannot sleep through the night. I can usually get to sleep fine, but wakeup multiple times through the night. Several have done videos with recommendations of electrolytes, magnesium, eating different times, more protein, fat, etc before bed, and nothing works.

[timbarrett]

At last someone in the Keto Community is addressing the sleep issue. Thank you, Dr Cho…! 🙏

[LaGnomaLisa]

What a fantastic guest! I’ve learned so much and I’m eager to learn more. I have struggled with insomnia for almost 11 years and thought I could never sleep well again. Thank you for giving me hope. I’ve also started carnivore a week ago and already feeling much better!

[annblachly]

Great interview. Now it makes sense when I'll supplement with each of these in random order B12, B-50 Complex, Iodine, zinc, boron, iron, copper, multi-vitamin with consistent D3, magnesium; taking some for a short time and, listening to my body and often then backing off for awhile.
D3 and magnesium are now the consistent, although the dosage can change from week to week, too.
I found D3 in 2018 and have had many things corrected, cured, and still healing at age 68.

Healed: Snoring, Sleep Apnea, acid reflux (unless I eat process wheat). I can eat my own freshly milled what and home baked bread a not have the gut issues. My gut and hemorrhoids healed in 18 months with D3, Magnesium and Carnivore.

Keratosis Pilaris is gone since childhood that worsened and moved down my limbs beginning in my mid-thirties. Scars are disappearing and age spots are shrinking and lightening. I don't sunburn anymore.

I no longer get colds or flu.

I've had rapid heartbeat/arrythmias with D3 and being out in the sun and heat and often with just standing after an illness when I wasn't taking D3 regularly (similar to POTS symptoms).
Jeff T Bowles suggested this may be a low magnesium symptom, so I increased that and it seems to be helping.

I look forward to getting all these supplements and sleep and gut in top form to lose weight without dieting efforts. I know sleep is a huge part and was having great difficulty with insomnia. Just the last few days up upping D3 and Magnesium has helped.

Now to get myself to bed while my body says it's time. If it override that, I can too easily close that window.

Milling wheat and baking bread is not consistent and it's been months. Otherwise I don't eat much in wheat products. Lately, my body has been calling for it. So, I'll do many loaves tomorrow to then slice and freeze the majority. I think the bread from fresh milled grain has nutrition that may negate some of the supplements.

I'll observe to see.

[scottkozler]

Even as you heal, constant change is necessary as you heal. Your body is telling you what it needs, listen to it.
When you finally heal, it will only need proper nutrition through what you eat.

[stephenhauck]

Love Dr. Stasha!!! Her work on vitamin B is also great. All of it is so helpful

[anyajohnson]

“I always ask my clients…what’s your gut feeling about what I just said is my recommendation?” Wow. Just wow. This should be standard of care.

[aliceaboli]

I have insomnia for 30 years now and now I’m diagnosed with dor rheumtoid arthritis. I’m taking now vitamin D with K2. I don’t have result yet, I hope it will work for me🙏

[davidmastel]

What a great complex seeing of the unseen! We are so fearfully made and beyond our natural intuitive comprehension. What I have found in every place of learning is to ask the Maker how to understand and know what He made...
Thanks,
Dave

[cthornton]

DR. STASHA! Thanks, this was brilliant. Loved hearing you two share what you've learned.

[latesmart]

She makes COMPLETE sense when she says “too many vitamins/hormones are bad and too little is bad”. Our bodies are amazing but modern medicine is missing the mark when it comes to “treating” symptoms correctly.