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It’s no secret that health problems, diabetes, and weight seem to be closely related. What does seem to be a secret are all the things that can cause some people to be sick and overweight while other people are unaffected. For example, how can two twin sisters with the same eating and activity habits be two different sizes?
Well, it turns out the answer is pretty complicated. It would be silly in this case to blame genetics, and to be frank, I am sick of people blaming genetics. It is irresponsible for us to be quick to blame genetics without considering all other possibilities. After all, we are talking about a person’s health. In the case above it might be interesting to know that one of the two twin sisters stays up late to study every night.
Why is sleep important?
Why is this important information? Well, studies have been coming out discussing sleep and weight gain. In fact, research has consistently shown that not getting enough sleep is a significant risk factor for future metabolic disorders, diabetes, weight gain, and obesity.
Why does too little sleep cause weight gain?
Sleep is an important part of the metabolic process. We need sleep to help regenerate our bodies and metabolize food properly. When we sleep our bodies regulate hormones. If we do not get enough sleep, two major hormones will be affected.
Ghrelin - This hormone is what tells us we need to eat. When we do not get enough sleep over time, we end up with too much ghrelin in our blood.
Leptin - This hormone is what tells us to stop eating when we are not hungry. When we are chronically tired, we do not produce enough leptin.
Having too little leptin and too much ghrelin in our blood is the perfect cocktail for weight gain!
What can we do to lose weight? The first step is to start tracking your sleep. The easiest way to do this is with a fitness tracker that keeps track for you. Another way is to keep a pad of paper and pen next to the bed and write down your sleep times (including the middle of the night potty breaks). Once you know how much sleep you are getting, you can figure out how much more you need. Experts say adults should aim for 7-8 hours on average each night.
I know that sounds impossible for some people, but anything we can do for better health is worth a shot. Especially if you think that a lack of sleep is causing weight gain, diabetes, or other health problems.
What happens if I get 7-8 hours of sleep and I am still tired?
Some people get more than enough sleep each night, and still, they wake up exhausted. In these cases, it is essential to talk to your doctor. You may have to visit a sleep clinic to determine if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. If you are dealing with a sleep disorder, you will need to correct it to get a good night of rest. Once the sleep problem is fixed, you should notice more control of your health and weight.
Continue reading article below.
What can I do to get better sleep? If you are not getting enough sleep, there are several things you can do. Once you have tracked your sleep, you will need to determine how much more you need. Here are a few suggestions you can use to get more sleep and lose weight.
If you are struggling with your health and want to lose weight, you may need more sleep. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you think a lack of sleep is the cause of your weight, diabetes, or health problems.
I would love to know what you think about this article. Comment below with helpful advise for those of us trying to catch more ZZZ’s.
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