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Better sleep may improve metabolic disorders
Specific reasons for how loss of sleep leads to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity have been uncovered in recent studies, paving new paths for prevention and treatment, according to a review published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Experimental studies now provide evidence that explains the relationship between poor sleep and decreased metabolic health, an association already found through a number of epidemiological studies. Researchers have discovered a direct link between the loss of sleep and the body’s ability to metabolize glucose, control food intake and maintain its energy balance.
“Observational studies have provided strong evidence for a link between sleep loss and adverse metabolic traits,” the review authors wrote. “A cause-effect association is suggested by a growing number of experiments that also point to the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the putatively impairing effect of sleep loss on metabolic health.”
Genetic predisposition and behavioral factors, including dietary habits and physical activity, have been known to influence metabolic health. In today’s modern societies, sleep disturbances — whether due to sleep apnea, use of technology such as tablets or gaming devices, or shift work schedules that disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm — can all be culprits of metabolic disorders.
“Specifically, short sleep duration, impaired sleep quality, and irregular sleep-wake patterns have been associated with adverse metabolic traits such as obesity and disturbed glucose metabolism, which are features of the metabolic syndrome,” they wrote.
The experiments point to “central nervous neuroendocrine pathways controlling energy homeostasis and food intake” and “peripheral pathways, such as those regulating adipocyte function” as distinct mechanisms by which sleep loss provokes the development of metabolic diseases.
This creates a negative ripple effect of related neurobehavioral outcomes, including increased appetite, enhanced sensitivity to food stimuli and, eventually, a surplus in energy intake. The effect on physical activity and energy expenditure is less clear.
Researchers said targeting sleep loss for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome is promising, based on their findings, and look forward to studying such strategies.
“Ongoing and future studies will show whether interventions to improve sleep duration and quality can prevent or even reverse metabolic traits,” the review authors wrote. “Meanwhile … health care professionals can be safely recommended to motivate their patients to enjoy sufficient sleep at the right time of day.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.