Dr. Jose Navarro — a leading and widely respected neurologist in the Philippines — is well known for his drug-free, natural approach to supporting neurological health, particularly in the management of sleep disorders. According to him:
“ANYONE CAN IMPROVE THEIR SLEEP HEALTH AT HOME TO ENHANCE OVERALL WELL-BEING.”
Improving sleep quality plays a critical role in restoring brain function, enhancing concentration, stabilizing mood, and reducing chronic fatigue. Healthy, deep sleep also helps lower the risk of stroke, cognitive decline, dementia, and other serious neurological conditions that are closely associated with long-term sleep disturbances.

It is reported that sleep disorders are increasingly common and potentially serious conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide each year.

Dr. Jose Navarro rarely grants media interviews, as he prefers to devote his time entirely to research and patient care. However, on this occasion, our team of reporters was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with the professor, who kindly took a moment to answer a few important questions for patients across the country—especially those who were unable to register for an in-person consultation.

This article will help readers answer four major questions related to the secrets of stabilizing their sleep system:

Reporter

Dr. Jose Navarro

I'll give you some very intuitive data to help you understand this problem better. 40% of people over the age of 35, especially women, experience symptoms of  sleep disorders.  Sleep disorders cause dizziness, headaches, and other symptoms, increasing the risk of stroke due to high blood pressure and prolonged stress.
 According to statistics from the World Health Organization (W.H.O) , about 6.5 million people die each year due to stroke. That is, on average, every 6 seconds there is a death from a stroke. 

Reporter

Can you explain to readers what Sleep Disorders is? And what does it look like?

Dr. Jose Navarro

I won’t go into too much detail here, as this topic is already well covered in medical textbooks. Let me explain it in a simple way so it’s easy to understand:
The sleep system is a complex network in the brain and body that regulates the sleep–wake cycle, ensuring that we fall asleep at the right time, stay asleep, and wake up feeling restored. It plays a vital role in brain recovery, memory consolidation, emotional balance, and overall health.

This system includes:
The circadian rhythm – The body’s internal clock that controls when we feel sleepy or alert, mainly influenced by light and darkness.

The brain sleep centers (such as the hypothalamus and brainstem) – They coordinate sleep stages and transitions between wakefulness and sleep.

Sleep-regulating hormones – Especially melatonin, which signals the body that it’s time to sleep, and cortisol, which helps us wake up.

The nervous system pathways – They transmit signals that maintain stable, continuous sleep throughout the night.

Visually, you can imagine the sleep system as a central control clock in the brain, connected to multiple switches and signals that turn sleep on and off smoothly. When this system is disrupted, falling asleep becomes difficult, sleep becomes fragmented, and the brain can no longer fully recover.

By age 50-60, a person accumulates up to 3.5 kg of cholesterol in the blood vessels!

In other words, whether people maintain good health or not depends significantly on the quality of their sleep. When sleep function is disrupted, it can lead to chronic insomnia, daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and emotional instability. As sleep disorders persist, individuals may experience memory decline, slowed thinking, mood disturbances, and reduced ability to cope with daily stress.

When sleep regulation weakens due to aging or illness, the body may no longer enter deep, restorative sleep. This results in frequent nighttime awakenings, unrefreshing sleep, and persistent exhaustion, even after many hours in bed. Long-term sleep disruption also affects the nervous system, potentially leading to headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Poor sleep can further contribute to blurred thinking, eye strain, and difficulty focusing, making everyday activities increasingly challenging.

Sleep disorders cannot be completely avoided. Over time, natural aging, lifestyle pressures, and environmental factors gradually disrupt the body’s sleep-regulating systems. Chronic sleep deprivation triggers a chain reaction of accelerated aging, leading to weakened immunity, reduced cognitive function, emotional imbalance, and a higher risk of neurological and cardiovascular diseases. This decline can significantly shorten a person’s healthy, active lifespan, limiting independence and quality of life in later years.

Instead of remaining mentally sharp and physically resilient into their 80s or 90s, many people begin to suffer from serious sleep problems as early as their 40s or 50s, especially those living with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or prolonged stress.

Reporter:

Besides age-related sleep disorders, what other factors can affect the sleep system?

Dr. Jose Navarro

Reporter:

How can I tell if my sleep system has problems?

Dr. Jose Navarro

I can confirm that if you have not taken proper care of your sleep health by the age of 40, your sleep-regulating system is very likely already weakened or disrupted. Over time, poor sleep habits and chronic sleep deprivation can significantly impair brain and nervous system function. Some common signs that may help you recognize sleep disorders include:

Even if the above signs do not appear, you should take care of your sleep health on a regular basis. Maintaining good sleep habits and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent future sleep disorders and significantly improve your overall well-being.

Reporter:

Could improving sleep function help older adults reduce dizziness and improve their quality of life?

Dr. Jose Navarro

Yes, that’s exactly right. Currently, at our clinic, sleep improvement programs are commonly recommended for patients over the age of 50 (and in some cases, over 40). After completing these programs, we have observed that for every 10 patients who follow structured sleep therapy, up to 9 experience significant improvements in sleep quality, including deeper sleep, fewer nighttime awakenings, and better daytime energy—often without the need for additional medication.

Many patients who previously depended on sleeping pills or sedatives report that sleep-focused therapy and lifestyle-based interventions are far more effective and sustainable in the long term.

All that is needed is to restore healthy sleep regulation. Doing so not only improves sleep itself, but also supports brain function, emotional stability, physical recovery, and overall quality of life.

Unfortunately, this simple and effective approach to restoring healthy sleep is often overlooked by many healthcare providers and pharmaceutical-driven treatment models. One reason is that managing chronic insomnia and sleep disturbances with long-term medication has become the most common solution. Over time, many patients are encouraged to rely on sleeping pills to suppress symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of poor sleep regulation.

Meanwhile, sleep-focused therapies and lifestyle-based interventions offer a natural, low-cost way to restore normal sleep patterns and improve overall health—often without the need for lifelong medication. However, because these approaches do not depend on continuous drug use, they are less frequently promoted, despite their long-term effectiveness and sustainability.

Reporter:

What sleep rehabilitation method did the professor mention? Could you share the details with our readers?

Dr. Jose Navarro

The method for restoring healthy sleep regulation that I mentioned above involves the use of a new support product called Neuro Plus. Currently in the Philippines, this product is being used as a natural sleep-support solution designed to help improve sleep quality and support nervous system balance. Neuro Plus was developed in 2022 by the National Neurology Institute and contains nearly 40 natural active ingredients that are beneficial for brain function and sleep regulation.









The most important ingredient to highlight is Ginkgo Biloba extract, which has been widely studied for its ability to improve blood circulation to the brain, a key factor in supporting healthy sleep patterns. Better cerebral blood flow helps the brain relax more effectively at night, promotes deeper sleep, and reduces nighttime awakenings. Ginkgo Biloba is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, its role in protecting nerve cells, and its ability to support memory and cognitive function, all of which are closely linked to sleep health.

The benefits of Ginkgo Biloba in supporting neurological function have been studied extensively since the early 2000s by researchers in Europe and other parts of the world. Today, it is widely used in neurological and sleep-support formulations globally, especially in approaches that focus on improving sleep naturally rather than relying solely on long-term medication.

The Japanese people have long placed great importance on maintaining healthy sleep, especially after the age of 40–50. Since 1965, national health initiatives have emphasized sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm regulation, and healthy aging, encouraging people to protect their sleep through proper routines, relaxation practices, and non-drug therapies. Today, the results of this approach are clearly visible, as Japan consistently reports lower rates of chronic sleep disorders and sleep-related health complications among the elderly compared to many other countries.

The overall quality of life among elderly Japanese people remains remarkably high, and it is common for them to stay mentally sharp, physically active, and independent well into their 90s and even 100s. In the past, healthy sleep was supported through herbal remedies, meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga, which helped regulate the nervous system naturally. Today, these traditional practices are complemented by modern, targeted formulations such as Neuro Plus, designed to support sleep regulation, brain function, and overall neurological health.