Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Increased by Suppressed Deep Sleep

Filed in archive Lifestyle , Notable , Research on January 2, 2008

Deep sleep is also called short-wave sleep.




Apparently, the lack of deep sleep increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Why? Because suppression of the slow-wave sleep in healthy young adults significantly decreases their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels.

This study found that after only three nights of selective slow-wave sleep suppression, young healthy subjects became less sensitive to insulin. Although they needed more insulin to dispose of the same amount of glucose, their insulin secretion did not increase to compensate for the reduced sensitivity, resulting in reduced tolerance to glucose and increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

The decrease in insulin sensitivity was comparable to that caused by gaining 20 to 30 pounds.

Such were the findings recently reported by researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

According to the study's lead author, Esra Tasali, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center:

"These findings demonstrate a clear role for slow-wave sleep in maintaining normal glucose control. A profound decrease in slow-wave sleep had an immediate and significant adverse effect on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance."University of Chicago Medical Center.

Well, all I know is that deep sleep is recharging and refreshing. It's one of those mornings when you wake up (after a night of enough deep sleep) ready to do anything.

Find more details from University of Chicago Medical Center.