Research tells us that a lack of sleep and disrupted sleep can lead to health problems, including those associated with metabolic issues. Based on a new review of studies, experts are suggesting that sleep might be a helpful medication to prescribe for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.
The review of the previous studies, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Lubeck, the University of Tubingen and the eSwiss Medical and Surgical Centre, included observational and experimental studies published between 1998 and 2013.
Evidence consistently links metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes and diabetes with insufficient sleep and chronic sleep loss. Researchers note that although metabolic health has a lot to do with genetic predisposition, it also is largely dependent on a person’s diet and physical activity.
The disruption of the body’s natural sleeping and waking cycle, which is often experienced by shift and overnight workers, also has been tied to poor metabolic health. By addressing sleep issues such as insomnia, delayed sleep disorder and sleep apnea, there may be a direct benefit to keeping a person’s metabolic health in check.
Other studies show that technology has become a major problem behind why people aren’t sleeping as they should. The researchers are suggesting that new interventions and strategies to make the public aware of the association between sleep and technology may help lessen the epidemic of metabolic health problems and sleep disorders.
Sleep has been proven to be an asset to our physical, mental and emotional health. If you want to be the best version of yourself that you can be, start by getting 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep tonight!
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