Sleep better and lose weight
Donald Johnson | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 1 month AGO
Are you struggling to lose weight? Many research studies have been done recently that link lack of hours of sleep or poor quality sleep to weight gain. There are several things your body uses to signal you to eat more or to stop eating. Leptin is one; leptin signals your brain about the energy status of your body.
If leptin is low, you will have increased hunger — not feeling that you have eaten enough at each meal. When you can chew but can’t swallow is the only signal you can use in the case of low leptin. Poor sleep or sleep deprivation caused leptin to be significantly reduced.
Ghrelin is another one affected. It is usually increased prior to meals and decreases after the meal. But in a person with poor sleep or one who is deprived of sleep, these increased levels of ghrelin are constantly telling you to eat. You are always hungry. Cortisol is yet another one which poor sleep and sleep deprivation affect. Cortisol stimulates food intake and has been found to be increased in people with poor sleep. It elevates blood sugar levels in the blood affecting weight gain.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is also affected. Poor sleep lowers thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) which changes TSH levels. Since your thyroid level has a direct effect on your metabolism, your weight will be affected.
Now if we look at mild weight gain, fat cells that you already have around your throat, your airway, can become enlarged which forces the soft tissue of the throat to narrow leading to more inefficient sleep which now speeds up the hormone problems listed above. And this in turn will lead to more sleep problems. And all this is just the tip of the iceberg!
But this poor sleep leading to weight gain can all be treated. Your sleep quality has to be increased. Make an appointment for a free consultation to see how our therapy can help you get better sleep and get your weight under control.
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Dr. Donald Johnson founded Northwest Treatment Center for Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Coeur d’Alene to help patients stop their snoring and live free with no limits! Obstructive sleep apnea is usually able to be treated with a small oral appliance. Dr. Johnson’s office is at 114 W. Neider Ave., near Costco. The website for more information is www.NWSleepDoc.com and the office phone is (208) 667-4551. Schedule a free consultation appointment today!
ARTICLES BY DONALD JOHNSON
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