Originally published August 19 2005
Sleep is a natural way to heal, researchers say
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Recent research has shown that lack of sleep leads to poor health and stress.
Busy schedules seem to be the norm - too much to do, too little time.
Unfortunately, since we all feel invincible, this usually means cutting down on our sleep time.
Some studies have found that overweight people tend to get less sleep than those with a more normal body weight.
One explanation for this may be the relationship between two regulators of eating - leptin and ghrelin.
Leptin released by fat cells, tells us to stop eating while ghrelin triggers more food intake and fat production.
Less sleep often means less energy to exercise, so these two factors alone could contribute to weight gain.
When sleep dropped to five hours a night, the percentage went to 50 percent - with only four hours a night, 73 percent.
When it comes to health, we know that obese individuals are at higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
There may also be a direct effect of sleep deprivation on these health concerns.
Studies where subjects were deprived of sleep, showed higher blood sugar levels and a slower release of insulin as the hours of sleep decreased.
Food intake - the type and amount of food eaten - is often related to mood which can affect health.
With sleep apnea, the passageway at the back of the throat closes and the person stops breathing.
This can occur hundreds of times throughout the night disrupting sleep and causing fatigue.
Most people find relief from the use of a CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine, which fits over the mouth and nose during sleep.
# Prepare for a restful sleep by doing something to relax you before bedtime.
Caffeine can remain in your body longer than you think (up to 12 hours).
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