Sleeping Well Helps Weight Loss

(from ‘the Men's Health Advisor')

Two new studies suggest that lack of sleep contributes to weight gain and obesity. In a study reported in the December 7, 2004, Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers tested the effects of sleep deprivation on appetite-related hormones and hunger in 12 healthy young men.

They measured levels of leptin (which decreases appetite) and ghrelin (which increases appetite) after sleep restriction. With limited sleep, the men's levels of appetite-stimulating ghrelin increased 28 percent and appetite-suppressing leptin decreased 18 percent.

They also had increased hunger and appetite, especially for high-carbohydrate foods.

In the second study, reported in the January 10, 2005, Archives of Internal Medicine, the sleep habits of nearly 1,000 people were correlated with their body mass index (BMI). The researchers found that overweight individuals slept less than normal-weight people. In fact, as total sleep time decreased, weight increased.

If you need to lose weight, getting a full night's sleep just might help.