Sleep Deprivation and Insulin Sensitivity

Average sleep levels have dropped

Average sleep in the USA has dropped from 9 hours a night to less than 7 hours per night over the last 100 years: so much for having more leisure time!

This could have an impact on health in the long term as recent research has shown that short term sleep deprivation leads to an inability to regulate insulin as well as people who have a good night’s sleep.

Healthy subjects were restricted to 5 hours sleep a night for a week and glucose tolerance levels were measured throughout the study. Glucose metabolism was impaired as a result of this sleep deprivation (1). This is a factor in early onset of Diabetes.

This is an important finding because it shows that general lifestyle factors have a bearing on overall health and resistance to disease. 

Previous studies have also shown that sleep deprivation leads to an increased appetite for carbohydrates, increased blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Knowing the importance of having a good night’s sleep is one thing, getting it is another. Think about how much you are having, and whether you can have more.

Further reading

1. Diabetes Journal (59: 2126-2133 ,2010)
2. How much sleep should I be getting?
3. Diabetes and exercise