Sleep Deprivation and Weight Gain

Sleep deprivation and weight gain may coincide together as numerous studies have been done identifying the correlation between the two. The connection is found with the Leptin and Ghrelin hormones.

These two hormones help the body control appetite as well as weight gain and loss. To control weight, a healthy balance needs to be present between the two as Leptin suppresses the appetite and Ghrelin increases appetite. Obviously when either one of these is not functioning optimally, your appetite may increase whether your body needs more calories or not.

As sleep deprivation becomes chronic, the Leptin levels decrease inhibiting the signal that tells you that you are full and the Ghrelin increases telling your body that it is hungry. It is possibly to have a healthy diet and adequate exercise, while struggling with weight gain in cases with ongoing sleep deprivation.

If you are experiencing sleep deprivation and weight gain, you may consider rethinking your sleeping patterns and sleep hygiene. Is your sleep deprivation due to your busy schedule, watching TV or staying on the computer too late? Are you allowing yourself to calm down before you go to bed?

Sleep deprivation and weight gain may be due to not making sleep a priority but if you think this is a more serious problem, you should seek professional help to determine why you are not getting adequate sleep. When you are doing everything right with diet and exercise yet the weight dose not budge and you know your sleep is not adequate, you may be fighting an uphill battle.

The first step to getting adequate sleep and avoiding the combination of sleep deprivation and weight gain is focusing on good sleep hygiene.

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