HOW POOR SLEEP AFFECTS YOU
WEIGHT GAIN
Inadequate sleep can lead to obesity in many ways. Hormones that regulate weight (leptin and ghrelin) do not function properly. You are less active and therefore burn less calories, when you don’t get enough sleep. Lastly, as a source for quick energy to combat the fatigue, studies show you are more likely to eat carbohydrates or foods high in fat that contribute to weight gain.
DEMENTIA
There is a relationship between sleep and Alzheimer’s related proteins ( beta-amyloid and tau). When sleep is poor, these proteins build up in parts of the brain important for memory and sleep regulation. As sticky clumps of the proteins spread, people increasingly struggle to think clearly.
IMMUNE FUNCTION
You are more likely to get sick if you don’t get enough sleep or the quality of your sleep is poor, due to decrease in the production of protective proteins (cytokines). Also, the lack of sleep delays your recovery from an illness or injury.
CARDIAC DISEASE
Poor sleep leads to hardening of the arteries in the heart (atherosclerosis) and a higher rate of death among patients with heart disease. Sleeping less than 6 hours a night or more than 9 hours a night has been associated with more cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke. Improving sleep, along with better nutrition and exercise, needs to be part of any healthy heart plan.
DIABETES
With ongoing sleep loss, hormones get out of whack, putting you at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Less of the hormone that regulates blood sugar (insulin) is released after you eat and your body secretes more stress hormone (cortisol) in an effort to help you stay awake which makes it harder for the insulin to do its job effectively. The end result: A high level of blood sugar in the body.
Take the “4 Week Sleep Challenge” to learn more about your sleep pattern.
The better your sleep habits, the better you’ll feel!