• Diabetes: Insulin helps regulate glucose control and lack of sleep can reduce insulin production. Having a healthy balance between insulin and glucose is key to avoiding Type 2 diabetes. Along with proper nutrition and exercise, adequate sleep has the possibility of slowing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Stress and immunity: Lack of sleep can increase stress hormones preventing good hormones from functioning properly and hinders the body from rejuvenating its defense against illness. Adequate sleep improves the body’s ability to attack a bad virus and allows you to jump in quicker to destroy it. Lack of sleep also increases white blood cells, which in turn increases inflammation and has the potential to slow recovery from illness. Sleep helps remove toxins from the brain, which is produced during waking hours.
• Cardiovascular illness: By not getting adequate sleep, people have a tendency to increase “bad” cholesterol in the form of LDLs. These are the “artery cloggers” and prevent smooth blood flow. Not all studies are conclusive, but hindering sleep can lower your ability to make “good” cholesterol, which is the artery protector. Blood pressure goes down during sleep; so having limited sleep can cause extended periods of high blood pressure. This can lead to hypertension and more serious cardiac issues.
Ever-advancing scientific research is indicating that children who do not obtain adequate sleep have a higher incidence of developing Type 2 diabetes. Sleep aids in reducing behavioral issues and improves mental health.
Along with good nutrition and adequate exercise, people should be trying to improve on sleep habits so they can stay healthy both mentally and physically.
For more information or to learn about the classes the Wright-Patterson Medical Center’s nutrition clinic offers, call 937-257-8815.
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