%0 Journal Article
%T The Role of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) and Sleep
%A Michael H. Perez
%A Terry T. Shintani
%A Beatriz L. Rodriguez
%A James Davis
%A Rosanne C. Harrigan
%J International Journal of Clinical Medicine
%P 1-7
%@ 2158-2882
%D 2013
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ijcm.2013.410A001
%X <span style=\"font-family:Verdana;color:black;font-size:10pt;\">Objective: </span><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';color:black;font-size:10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">To determine if there is a relationship between the administration of the dietary supplement containing 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) and sleep. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Methods: </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">A double-blind, randomized parallel-group study was conducted. It was a 4-month study of 40 participants between the ages of 40 and 70. Males and females were recruited equally. There were 20 in each group who had existing sleep disorders. The tool used to measure participant sleep improvement included the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale-20 Question (PIRS-20). Improved sleep is reflected when the total PIRS-20 score is lower. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Results: </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Improvement in sleep in the group taking 50 mg 5-ALA, compared to controls, was significant. The mean change, from baseline through week 6, was гн5.67 units less on the sleep scale than the control group with a p value of 0.001. The mean change from week 6 to week 10 when the participant was no longer taking the supplement was 4.55 units higher than the control group with a p value of 0.062, which is of borderline significance. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Conclusions: </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">There is a relationship between the administration of dietary supplements containing 5-ALA and sleep. The results of this study suggest that 5-ALA is associated with improved sleep. The mechanism for sleep improvement needs to be explored. Further research is warranted.</span></span>
%K Insomnia
%K Heme
%K Energy
%K Metabolism
%K 5-Aminolevulinic Acid
%K Sleep
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=38440