Are you having trouble losing weight? What if I told you that the more hours you sleep at night, the more likely you will successfully lose weight? Studies from University of Texas Southwestern here in Dallas have demonstrated that the body overcompensates with increased “energy” intake (i.e. calories) with the physical stress from lack of adequate sleep .
But sleep is not all about hours spent sleeping, it is also about the quality of sleep experienced. Sleep apnea is a cause of poor quality sleep. This is a condition in which lack of adequate oxygen intake during sleep can negatively impact the brain, heart and lungs ability to obtain healthy sleep. Obesity is one of the main causes of sleep apnea and obesity can cause physical symptoms of snoring and impose stress on these vital organs, increasing blood pressure and decreasing oxygenation to the brain at night.
Additionally, the physical strain of sleep apnea at night can elevate stress hormones such as cortisol, ghrelin and leptin which affect appetite and hunger during the day.
Previous studies out of Stanford University have shown that abnormalities of these levels as a result of sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on body fat, and increase the risk for obesity.
Feeling tired and hungry is therefore NOT a good combination. Over time, the weight can pile on and then physically you can get into trouble. It is a cyclic event that can lead to many problems including increased blood pressure and heart disease. So, can sleeping more help you lose weight? Scientists suggest that reducing stress hormones which promote hunger could be an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet in successful weight loss.
Reset your clock, get to bed earlier and rest longer. Include at least 8 hours of restful sleep in your diet plan because sleep deprivation could really be a “hunger-buster”.