On a diet? Consider getting a good night’s sleep! You might be wondering what sleep has to do with your weight. Well, a healthy sleep schedule and two of the hormones important to maintaining a good weight are closely related!
Leptin is sometimes called the ‘weight loss hormone’, but in actuality, it’s simply the hormone that alerts your brain that your body has received enough food. Opposing that, Ghrelin tells your brain that your body is lacking food, thereby increasing your appetite.
When you deprive yourself of sleep, the appetite regulating hormones become affected. Leptin levels decrease and Ghrelin levels increase, causing you to consume more.
In addition to consuming more, your body tends to crave high fat foods so that it can store the energy it assumes you need to survive. These cravings do not supply the needed nutrients you lack from the sleep deprivation taking it’s toll, but are a response to stress your body assumes you are going through to be lacking in sleep in such ways.
This stressed state can be worsened by conditions like sleep apnea as more stress is put on your body. Your brain is aware you are not breathing and assumes it is an attack, trying to prepare for and fix the issue by creating more fat reserves. In addition, the lack of oxygen puts a strain on your heart, causing another layer to the cycle.
A full night's sleep allows the body to replenish its levels and work at its best to help you not just survive, but thrive. So make sure to rest up!
Written by Alexis Borquez
Sources:
Graham, Sarah. “Sleep Deprivation Tied to Shifts in Hunger Hormones.” Scientific American, 7 Dec. 2004.
Kam, Katherine. “The Facts on Leptin: FAQ.” WebMD, WebMD.
Sharma, Sunil, and Mani Kavuru. “Sleep and Metabolism: An Overview.” PMC, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010.