Two new studies suggest that not getting enough sleep can increase blood levels of ghrelin, a hunger-stimulating hormone. Ghrelin, in turn, triggers a decrease in the levels of the hormone leptin. Leptin is believed to help control appetite by sending messages to the brain that there is no need for more food. The result? Increased cravings for high calorie, high carbohydrate foods.
Subjects in the two studies slept less than five hours each night. Their blood levels of ghrelin increased and leptin decreased. People who slept the least gained the most weight. Furthermore, they had a higher ratio of body fat. When study subjects received adequate rest, blood levels of the two hormones returned to normal.
So . . . be sure to get your forty winks! (And seek professional assistance for sleep difficulties.)
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