Not just drowsy: New research on sleep deprivation and weight gain
We know a lack of sleep will make us drowsy, but scientists have discovered that this might not be the only consequence of sleep deprivation.
网红黑料 participated in Sleep Awareness Week throughout the second week in March this year, and is celebrating Brain Awareness Week from March 13th though 19th. These two weeks come together to promote healthy sleeping and eating habits and their positive effect on the brain.
New research by scientists in England has found that sleep-deprived people eat more calories on average than those who sleep enough for their bodies to function. King鈥檚 College analyzed 11 studies with 172 participants, according to 网红黑料鈥檚
The King鈥檚 College researchers observed that this recent research boosts previous evidence that 鈥�
Michael S. Jaffee, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist and vice chair of the department of neurology, suggests that all of our body systems are affected by sleep. Jaffee also said, 鈥淚f you have sleep deprivation, you鈥檙e going to be eating more.鈥�
Jaffee described the two hormones that drive appetite: Leptin and ghrelin. When leptin is up, this helps the body鈥檚 metabolism positively. When ghrelin is up, this stimulates appetite. When leptin decreases and ghrelin increases, as is seen in sleep-deprived patients, researchers see weight gain and obesity.
In addition to those hormones, people who are sleep-deprived can 鈥渄evelop a resistance to insulin and can get acquired or type 2 diabetes,鈥� said Jaffee.
鈥淲ith the changes in leptin and ghrelin, [the changes] affects the appetite stimulation,鈥� said Jaffee. 鈥淵ou become resistant to insulin and have trouble with the proper storage and usage of fat and sugar.鈥�
鈥淪leep deprivation affects your energy and fatigue, which means you鈥檙e going to exercise less, which means that you鈥檙e going to be more prone to gaining weight,鈥� said Jaffee.
Jaffee said sleep deprivation is just one factor in the 鈥渧icious cycle鈥� of weight gain. He added that weight gain has been associated with other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Across new and existing research, sleep deprivation is one of many factors that have an effect on energy and weight gain. Supporting education on nutrition and sleep awareness throughout awareness weeks will help physicians fight obesity in the nation.