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
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RESOURCES
- Website: drgominak.com/
- Facebook: / rightsleep
- Instagram: / rightsleep
- KZbin: / @drstashagominak
- The RightSleep Program: drgominak.com/rightsleep-prog...
- Appointment with Dr. Gominak: drgominak.com/schedule-your-v...
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THE COMPLETE CARNIVORE DIET FOR BEGINNERS: YOUR PRACTICAL GUIDE TO AN ALL-MEAT LIFESTYLE: amzn.to/3D5lyo5
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
1) Nutrition with Judy Articles: nutritionwithjudy.com/articles/
2) Nutrition with Judy Resources: nutritionwithjudy.com/resources/
3) Nutrition with Judy Podcast: nutritionwithjudy.buzzsprout....
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FIND JUDY CHO:
🌎 Website: www.nutritionwithjudy.com
📺 KZbin: / nutritionwithjudy
🏞Instagram: / nutritionwithjudy
👤Facebook: / nutritionwjudy
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**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.
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#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

[@Ancel7]

I learned, today, that the intestine itself, is extremely sensitive to emotions. I think, it's because it has a lot more nerves, than anywhere else, in the body, maybe even more than the brain.

[@ldpetchell]

This is confusing. Judy, will you break it down in another video?

[@wendygreenfield9631]

I really wanted to like this video. Judy and Dr G seem informed and genuine. But this conversation needs a do-over. The information presented was conflicting and complicated. That being said, in my experience and observation I sleep better when I add those much-maligned carbohydrates to my evening meal. Mexican-style meat with a small side of rice and beans... and I'm sleeping like a baby.

[@snowwhite2709]

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.

[@catcan221]

I have that issue from time to time. For me, if I eat a high protein meal at dinner and too late in the day (after 5pm) it seems to be worse.

[@snowwhite2709]

@@catcan221 mine is not time to time, it's all the time, until I'm so sleep deprived, I can't stand it anymore and cave. Nothing seems to help.

[@teejay9395]

I can absolutely relate. My sleep is awful on Ketovore and I have tried allllll the things. Nothing helps

[@catcan221]

@@snowwhite2709 obviously no one can diagnose without proper labs, but sounds hormonal. Just curious do you know your macros, fat to protein ratio? Have you tried adding more carbs in to see if that helps?

[@vizi434]

When you wake up keep your eyes shut. Even go to toilet with closed eyes. I'm on keto.. sleep was a problem. It is better now. And I go to sleep 7 - 8 pm., get up not later than 5am.

[@user-ym7br9nh3z]

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, menopause.....disaster. I felt better almost immediately after I started on B complex, D3, and estrogen.

[@mballer]

36:00 There was a study showing migraines were eliminated with higher omega 3 levels and lower omega 6 levels.

[@1timbarrett]

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

[@thelittlemaldos1389]

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

[@anyajohnson4471]

“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.

[@_Oz_]

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

[@jackiecoupland3620]

What vit d and b level was best for you to sleep?

[@AbdullahMalik-zo1zn]

Let me know please

[@scottkozler8481]

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.

[@annebeck2208]

This makes so much sense now. So if my vitamin D gets better and my micro-biome gets better using the Vitamin B...I throw off the balance and need to cut down the vitamin B that my gut is now producing...because the Vitamin B is throwing off my sleep....yes!!! B Vitamin are super important for sleep too...but too much and you won't sleep. I have had insomnia from lack of vitamin D and then too much vitamin B. As my gut gets better...I need to make a change. Sun would be nice, but 9 months of the year we can't get sun due to grey days or super cold weather...the problems of living in the north...so Vitamin D it is..

[@lillianmederak1507]

More confused than ever all I wanted to know is how can I get better sleep

[@leemanwrong]

Get your vitamin d & b levels up, get your microbiome healthy.

[@janonthemtn]

Watch until you understand. 3x if necessary.

[@stephenhauck5251]

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

[@cassieoz1702]

Being awake through the wee hours is extremely common in post menopausal women and THAT is why it's disregarded.

[@TracyLynn1962]

I only sleep 4 nights a week since menopause. I'm 8 years on now and not one doctor will take this seriously.

[@lr1732]

@@TracyLynn1962 I take a little Valerian Root, Angelica & Black Cohosh before bed and it seems to help. The fresh tincture (meaning tinctured from the fresh root) is the best form in my experience. There are some other good herbal & homeopathic formulas I have seen work for menopausal women as well. Also, one thing a lot of people overlook is sleeping with the mouth closed; and the tongue at the roof of the mouth (there are a lot of videos about this). May not make you sleep all night but it does allow more oxygen to get to the brain. And I can also attest that getting sunlight in the morning and later on in the day is essential. It has to get into the eyes to trigger and regulate melatonin. So many angles but these are just a few. Good luck!!!

[@cthornton523]

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

[@ursulaaugustynski5271]

Also allergies cause sleep issues. I am allergic to caffeine, milk products and all grains even gluten -free ones. When I avoid these I sleep very well.

[@lmyers9999]

D deficiency causes the allergy

[@FocusedFighter777]

Love you Judy, love your brains, the two of you. Very important data!

[@archeanna1425]

This was excellent. If you have another opportunity to have Dr Stasha back again in the future, that would be so helpful. I discovered her years ago and I was immediately attracted to her curiosity, her vast knowledge and her stance that she doesn't know everything and there isn't one rule or one answer for everyone and every situation. For those of us with complex health issues, it's so encouraging to be reminded that we're complicated and that resisting will not feel good. Thank you for your hard work. I don't know where I would be without you.

[@ninfacmtz]

Dr. Gominak you look great and young!

[@scottstevens6380]

Thank you.

[@jphone9200]

Thank you for this

[@kjerstik3211]

Incredible interview. Thank you so much!

[@missygee6155]

Excellent!!

[@elizabethcsimar4971]

Thank you so much. ❤

[@mariettejoubert9273]

This is brilliant! Thanks to you both.

[@jphone9200]

AMAZING

[@jacqchurchm2293]

A fantastic interview ❤

[@annemariefisher1559]

This all gets so confusing. doctors that say being carnivore you don’t really need any type of supplements. She’s saying we need the supplements. You can get so many different views on this.😊

[@suzannereeves7768]

So agree with you. Go figure.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Everyone needs VitD unless ur outside daily for work or live mostly outside less than 35* latitude

[@leemanwrong]

Depends on your unique situation. If you live in an area with not much sun then supplementing vitamin d would be a good idea. I've been carnivore 4 years and i just started supplementing because i'm now working in a high lead environment so i take a few things to help with heavy metal exposure.

[@chuckleezodiac24]

an individual's need for supplements depends on various factors. but Carnivore Cultists claim that their elimination diet is "Perfect In Every Way." there's no need to worry about cholesterol, heart disease, colon cancer, low testosterone, hormonal dysfunction, low energy levels, fiber, Vitamin C, electrolyte deficiencies, slow metabolism, mood issues, sleep disturbances, joint & muscle pain, long-term effects, reduced life expectancy or anything else. "Carnivore cures everything. If you have any problems, you're just doing it wrong!"

[@Marshadow69]

About time you had Dr Gominak on your show!

[@kokyma]

Haha. It's 1 am, I don't sleep and this title comes up

[@artsiecrafty4164]

I am a lifetime insomniac. My father had it. He drank beer on a recliner all night long. I am a double apoe4 geneticly. I am 75. I have been on medical cannabis for a few years now. Even with that, I still need some carbs in the morning, or I won’t sleep that night. I have been keto or ketovore for almost ten years. I was taking pot gummies, but after a year, I reverted to smoking because the sugar in the gummies was causing metabolic problems even though I only took one at night. Also what about methylation? I have to take methyl b. I have that snip too.

[@judithcervizzi6609]

would love to know what brand of vitamin D she recommends.And what about vitamin k?

[@twistedstrength.]

You are such nice people. Good job Judy. 👍

[@glorimardejesus2467]

Podrías añadir subtitulos en español? Gracias ☺️ Could you add subtitles in Spanish? Thank you ☺️

[@danmauney8394]

How do you get a consultation with Doctor Gominak. I have terrible sleep and massive foot and leg pain nightly going on 5 years. I am 70 years old and mostly HFLC diet. I stay in the sun cycling during 3 seasons. Very active but I have burning feet neuropathy and I think the doctor may be able to solve this problem.

[@kwamegreen2569]

Was length of sleep discussed? Did I fall asleep throught it?

[@TracyLynn1962]

Since menopause I sleep only 4 nights out of the week. Needless to say I'm not functioning and no doctor will take this seriously.

[@1timbarrett]

My sleep has tanked too. A YT channel I’ve found comforting however is SLEEP COACH SCHOOL. Maybe that will afford some relief for the soul-destroying condition you are experiencing. 😢

[@TracyLynn1962]

@@1timbarrett Thank you.

[@MBT372]

At least you sleep 4 night a week!

[@TracyLynn1962]

@@MBT372 Oh no. Is your insomnia worse? I'm so sorry.

[@christinebowman90]

40 year insomiac...i have no medical issues..beat breast cancer 20 years ago,ran marathons.hike big mountains ect...sleep 3-4 hours a night and not all at once.i am 71 and noone guesses my age.they think i am around 50.go figure.would still love to sleep all night

[@ninfacmtz]

My vitamin D is 191ng/ml but had been for a long time a high as 243ng/ml. And I feel great! Yet, I have a gene mutation on my vitamin D receptors.

[@pippy2157]

Dr. Eduardo Beltran on KZbin explains this well.

[@pippy2157]

I love Dr. Gominak ❤️. Thank you for this interview 🙏

[@AbdullahMalik-zo1zn]

Its not to much?

[@jphone9200]

How much sunlight?

[@leemanwrong]

As much as you can handle, you won't overdose vitamin d from the sun

[@richardprice9730]

But Vit D IS a Hormone, there are many factors affecting sleep not just Vit D levels , light -dark cycles , build up of trauma , melatonin , serotonin and other neuro transmitters principally GABa , we live in environments and we generally overstimulate ourselves , muscle relaxation etc plus of course diet , dentition and son , a good social connections oxytocin and so on .Maybe even the fear of death restimulated through childhood trauma , can I give way let go , primal scream stuff , and on and on . The pituitary doesn't work as well as we get older . Too much Vit D is disastrous brittle bones a down regulation of cytokine resp when needed , one can easily poison oneself with Vit D. But I do think you are on the right track biochemically speaking , but all levels affect sleep , PTSD is one , yes I agree lost my teeth , dupytrens from cycling accident very hot on orthommoecular medicine the micro bion is crucial , serotonin works well but one has to be careful of tryptophan residues and cataracts . LOVE is the Most powerful medicine , MORE hugs , a nice bed wind down routine .

[@Aliciaskinsecret]

I like Judy’s channel and I really wanted to listen to what she had to say but it’s just to much for me personally. I barely got half way in. She lost me at hormone testing. Any woman that has a period still cannot accurately test their hormones.. you can get a test every week and it would be different each time. Once you no longer Have a period you can then get an accurate reading on your hormones for testing. Anyway again love this channel but wow she’s all over the place for me gave me anxiety and a headache.

[@jackiecoupland3620]

It’s critical info so I would say re listen and take the time to understand it She’s brilliant and what she’s taking about is a game changer

[@ninawildr4207]

Shes sayimg GO OUTSIDE😂

[@Aliciaskinsecret]

@@ninawildr4207 that’s a lot of rambling for telling people to just go outside. Sometimes telling someone the story of how it took you years to figure something out turns into a mess. I barely ever leave a negative comment. I normally choose to not comment and move on unless I can share something that could be helpful to someone.

[@mathiasmikis]

This was the most confusing interview I’ve ever heard . Absolutely no rhyme or reason to what she is saying.

[@martinepeters9891]

All meat diet (with electrolytes and minerals and vit D3) gives me the worst insomnia ever. Tried it for 6 weeks.

[@lmyers9999]

Did you test d?? Did you get b Vitamins up?!

[@martinepeters9891]

@@lmyers9999 absolutely..... I dived deep into it reading all i could. and did everything I could. I keep track of vit D and also blood work on several different B vitamins.

[@johntaylor8369]

Me too did all meat for 1 year and yes most sleep every night was about 4.5hrs

[@martinepeters9891]

@johntaylor8369 that's exactly what my sleep would be like. I train a lot, move a lot and with 100 grams of carbs I still have plenty of ketones in my blood every morning I wake up from a solid 7,5 hours of sleep.

[@pennyblackwell4941]

This doctor doesn't answer your questions and she speaks in word salad.

[@KZ-pt5qk]

How does this affect nursing mothers?… what kind of sleep cycle is considered normal or beneficial for mothers up at night feeding babies?

[@user-eg1sw7kd6g]

Morning-- sunrise sun, and evening - sunset is the time to get your vit d with the least amount of skin damage from the sun.

[@lmyers9999]

Blah blah- don’t be afraid of the higher Vit D … doses who wants to have to spend hrs in the sun??

[@southafricangirl1698]

Brilliant interview, thank you ladies!!