High-Risk Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine June 2011 issue
A handle of recently published studies suggests that the cumulative side effects of sleep deprivation can increase the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. However, obsessing over these potential risks won’t help you and might even cause you to lose more sleep. Sleep deprivation may be common but it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. Here are the top negative side effects of sleep deprivation to help you better understand how it increases one’s chances of suffering from more serious health issues.
Weak Immune System
One of the most dangerous effects of sleep deprivation is a weakened immune system. Many studies have documented its health risks, one of which is the body’s low resistance to the common cold. In another study, researchers have found out that people wh0 suffer from lack of sleep could fail to produce the normal immune response to a flu shot. This means that the antibodies required to produce an immune response to the shot could only work for ten days or less. This is a very serious condition because it makes the body more vulnerable to seasonal flu and viruses.
Increased Cravings for Fatty Foods + Weight Gain
Sleep deprivation directly affects leptin levels. Leptin is the hormone that regulates the body weight by controlling one’s appetite. Moreover, the mind experiences the same sensation that comes from hunger and sleepiness—lack of energy. Most people confuse this sensation with hunger pangs and crave for fatty foods, carbohydrates, and sweets leading to excessive weight gain and even obesity.
High Risk for Diabetes
We all know that the combination of excessive eating and lack of exercise is a cocktail for diabetes. Today, more and more studies have shown that sleep deprivation is another big contributor. A report published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism claims that one’s sensitivity to insulin is reduced within a shortened sleep cycle. In another study made by the University of Chicago, researchers found that shortened sleep (about less than 6 hours a night in the span of 6 days) can disrupt sugar metabolism and heighten the risk of diabetes.
Increased Effects of Stress
We know the effects of stress like the back of our hands—tiredness, muscle aches, puffy eyes, poor concentration and memory, and anxiety are just a few. Lack of sleep can heighten these symptoms due to increased levels of the stress hormone called cortisol, which is responsible for the fight or flight response. Excessive cortisol levels can result in increased heart rate, blood glucose, and blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes.
Visible Signs of Premature Skin-Aging
Cortisol may be good overcoming those “Herculean Moments” but it affects your skin more than ever. Excess cortisol levels slow down the production of collagen, which is essential to good skin health, and therefore results in wrinkles, fine lines, age spots. The cumulative effect of low collagen production makes the skin dull and lifeless.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine June 2011 issue
A handle of recently published studies suggests that the cumulative side effects of sleep deprivation can increase the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. However, obsessing over these potential risks won’t help you and might even cause you to lose more sleep. Sleep deprivation may be common but it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. Here are the top negative side effects of sleep deprivation to help you better understand how it increases one’s chances of suffering from more serious health issues.
Weak Immune System
One of the most dangerous effects of sleep deprivation is a weakened immune system. Many studies have documented its health risks, one of which is the body’s low resistance to the common cold. In another study, researchers have found out that people wh0 suffer from lack of sleep could fail to produce the normal immune response to a flu shot. This means that the antibodies required to produce an immune response to the shot could only work for ten days or less. This is a very serious condition because it makes the body more vulnerable to seasonal flu and viruses.
Increased Cravings for Fatty Foods + Weight Gain
Sleep deprivation directly affects leptin levels. Leptin is the hormone that regulates the body weight by controlling one’s appetite. Moreover, the mind experiences the same sensation that comes from hunger and sleepiness—lack of energy. Most people confuse this sensation with hunger pangs and crave for fatty foods, carbohydrates, and sweets leading to excessive weight gain and even obesity.
High Risk for Diabetes
We all know that the combination of excessive eating and lack of exercise is a cocktail for diabetes. Today, more and more studies have shown that sleep deprivation is another big contributor. A report published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism claims that one’s sensitivity to insulin is reduced within a shortened sleep cycle. In another study made by the University of Chicago, researchers found that shortened sleep (about less than 6 hours a night in the span of 6 days) can disrupt sugar metabolism and heighten the risk of diabetes.
Increased Effects of Stress
We know the effects of stress like the back of our hands—tiredness, muscle aches, puffy eyes, poor concentration and memory, and anxiety are just a few. Lack of sleep can heighten these symptoms due to increased levels of the stress hormone called cortisol, which is responsible for the fight or flight response. Excessive cortisol levels can result in increased heart rate, blood glucose, and blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes.
Visible Signs of Premature Skin-Aging
Cortisol may be good overcoming those “Herculean Moments” but it affects your skin more than ever. Excess cortisol levels slow down the production of collagen, which is essential to good skin health, and therefore results in wrinkles, fine lines, age spots. The cumulative effect of low collagen production makes the skin dull and lifeless.
