Insomnia Can Hinder Weight Loss Efforts

Getting a Good Night's Sleep May Help Shed Unwanted Pounds

Oct 16, 2009

Sleep is essential to maintain normal body function. Insomnia can hinder weight loss but can also cause many health problems like heart disease, diabetes and infertility.

The health problem of being over weight or obese is now an epidemic. Many are asking why. What is causing this? The answer may be very simple. Society needs to slow down and think about the choices being made.

The world as a whole is set on high speed. Food must be cooked and served fast. Electronics must run at the highest quality and speed possible. People expect instant gratification. No one wants to wait. The ramifications of such demands has caused excessive health problems due to stress, emotional and mental exhaustion and overeating. The population as a whole has become lethargic, lacking any energy to exercise and relieve stress or shed unwanted pounds.

This issue has also caused a increase surge of sleeping disorders and hormonal imbalances in many women. By the end of the day, most women are so wound up they can't wind down. Given time, this sleep deprivation can cause dramatic weight gain or weight loss as well as other health problems.

Continual sleep deprivation can cause many health problems. The body relies on sleep to rejuvenate and maintain normal body functions.

Creates Hormone Imbalances: Sleep deprivation creates hormone imbalances. Without adequate sleep, the body begins to protect itself by producing more of certain hormones and less of others. Hormone levels effect many functions in the body.

Certain hormones control our hunger mechanisms. The hormone ghrelin is a hunger mechanism. The hormone leptin curbs hunger. Ghrelin productions increases and leptin levels decrease in response to sleep deprivation. An individual may actually feel the need to eat more when sleep deprived due to hiher ghrelin levels and less leptin the blood. Both hormone levels will return to normal once sleep patterns are re-established.

Sleep Loss Results in Less Deep Sleep: There are different stages to sleep each night. There's drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep and dream sleep. It is the deep sleep that restores energy levels. Without enough deep sleep, the body will decrease growth hormone production. The growth hormone is a protein that helps to regulate the body's proportions of fat and muscle at the adult level. Without good deep sleep, over time, the body will not function properly in its ability to burn fat and grow muscle.

Sleep Deprivation Causes Metabolic Dysfunction: People with insomnia that does not go away, but occurs on a regular basis or over a long period of time, may have trouble metabolizing carbohydrates. Again the body is going into defense mode and this is one of its weapons. If the body stops metabolizing carbohydrates like it should, the build up of carbohydrates will eventually lead to an increased storage of fats and high blood sugar levels. This can lead to other problems besides weight gain. Over time, sleep deprivation and chronic insomnia can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia Sends the Body Into Hibernation Mode: Similar to metabolic dysfunction, lack of sleep causes lower energy levels. An individual who is suffering from lack of sleep will not perform well during the day. Less done means less calories burned. If a person continues to eat normally and consume more calories than are being burned, the body will simply store those extra calories away as fat for use later. That fat becomes extra weight. More weight to shed. It's a vicious cycle.

Cure Insomnia and Promote Weight Loss

The body works well when everything is in sync. Developing healthy habits and routines will help alleviate stress, and create a sense of well being. Simple life style changes can make all the difference. Evaluate the diet, work environment, home-life and extra-curricular activities. Eliminate anything that might cause undue stress

Set up a nightly routine and stick to it. Some stop eating after six at night, others take a warm bath before bed and have a small snack such as turkey slices and warm milk to induce sleep. Whatever works for the individual. Find a comforting bedtime routine and stick to it faithfully. Going to bed at a certain time every night and waking up at the same time everyday will help alleviate insomnia.

Consider taking a brisk daily walk or doing some form of physical activity, at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Exercise can reduce the effects of stress and insomnia. People who exercise regularly tend to have more energy, higher metabolisms and at night fall asleep quicker than those who do not exercise on a regular basis. However, don't exercise right before bedtime as that tends to have the adverse effect of making people more alert.

Sleep Really is Important

In this busy world, sleep has become more of a luxury than a necessity. However, sleep is still a vital essential to maintaining normal body function. The effects of long-term sleep deprivation can be devastating. Insomnia and lack of sleep can not only cause weight maintenance problems, but can cause infertility and hormonal problems, cardiovascular disease, high-blood pressure and stroke. Do the body a favor. Slow down. Rest. Turn the TV, computer and cell phone off and go to sleep.

The copyright of the article Insomnia Can Hinder Weight Loss Efforts in Women’s Health is owned by Amy Wingfield. Permission to republish Insomnia Can Hinder Weight Loss Efforts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.