Unforeseen Nutrient Shortage Potentially Boosting Diabetes Susceptibility
Lack of Shut-Eye: A Health Time Bomb Hitting One-Third of Americans
Over one-third of Americans are consistent offenders when it comes to getting their zzz's, falling short of the recommended seven to nine hours each night. And this disturbing trend isn't just making us grumpy — it's putting our health on the line.
A short stretch of sleepless nights will leave you feeling irritable and struggling with memory issues, brain fog, and general clumsiness. But this isn't just about feeling groggy and disoriented. Long-term, chronic sleep problems set the stage for a whole lot of trouble — including a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, dementia, depression, heart disease, and respiratory disease.
Our female friends are particularly vulnerable to these harmful effects, especially in terms of cardiometabolic health. Researchers at Columbia University recently took a closer look at this trend and, to be honest, the results aren't great news for restless ladies.
If you're feeling like your sleep schedule is a never-ending cycle of tossing, turning, and staring at the ceiling, you're not alone. Many ladies face this struggle due to childbearing, child-rearing, and menopause, often finding themselves short-changed on the sleep front.
So, what exactly does this mean for your insulin levels? Well, it turns out that cutting your sleep by a mere 90 minutes for six weeks sends your fasting insulin levels soaring by over 12 percent overall and a whopping 15 percent spike in postmenopausal women. And guess what? Your insulin resistance goes up, too, by nearly 15 percent for everyone and a staggering 20 percent for postmenopausal women. The best part? Your blood sugar levels don't budge an inch in the process.
Over time, this pressure on your insulin-producing cells could lead to a serious breakdown, resulting in a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
The takeaway? If you're looking for better blood sugar control and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, especially if you're postmenopausal, it's essential to prioritize quality sleep.
If you're shaking your head thinking you'll never manage enough sleep, fear not! In our past articles, we've shared some less-than-obvious tactics you could try, like implementing a bedtime routine that would make a toddler proud (seriously, give it a shot).
And don't underestimate the power of that little night light. It's ticking away at your metabolism and glucose tolerance, so consider swapping it for some good old-fashioned darkness!
So, are you sufficiently alert and feeling zonked out? There might be an underlying issue at play that's not just that cup of late-night coffee. It could be your master hormone, and if it's not functioning optimally, your risk of age-related diseases skyrockets. To get your body's master controller back on track and live longer, healthier, *click here!
Sources:
- Shortening sleep time increases diabetes risk in women — EurekAlert!
- Chronic Insufficient Sleep in Women Impairs Insulin Sensitivity Independent of Adiposity Changes: Results of a Randomized Trial — Diabetes Care
- Why Lightbulb Choices Matter — Natural Eye Care
- The lack of sleep among one-third of Americans is a concerning health issue, as it increases the risk of various chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dementia, depression, heart disease, and respiratory disease.
- Women, particularly postmenopausal women, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of chronic sleep problems, particularly in terms of cardiometabolic health.
- Cutting sleep by just 90 minutes for six weeks can raise fasting insulin levels by over 12 percent overall and 15 percent in postmenopausal women, increasing insulin resistance by nearly 15 percent for everyone and 20 percent for postmenopausal women.
- This increased pressure on insulin-producing cells could lead to a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes over time.
- To lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially for postmenopausal women, prioritizing quality sleep is essential.
- Implementing a bedtime routine, creating a dark bedroom environment, and avoiding late-night coffee can help manage enough sleep.
- Neglecting sleep could indicate an underlying issue affecting your body's master hormone, which, if not functioning optimally, can increase the risk of age-related diseases.
