Sleep: Essential to Healthy Living
How impactful is a regular sleep pattern on achieving healthier habits, critical milestones, improved outlook and quality of life?
Diabetes
Every human body has an internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm allows the body to know when to go to sleep and when to be alert. Sleep allows the body to regulate hormones, like insulin. However, when the circadian rhythm is interrupted, efficiency of insulin can be affected and impact a person’s ability to maintain a proper balance of insulin and blood sugar. Additionally, as an individual stays awake, the brain produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes the body to remain awake and alert once it is created. The more cortisol that is released, the harder it is for insulin to balance blood sugar. According to the American Heart Association, lack of sleep can drastically affect an individual’s cardiovascular system including such negative effects as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. When a person is sleep deprived, stress hormones are produced and cause inflammation. These factors increase the risk of cardiovascular problems and research shows that the mortality rate for people who dealt with stroke, ischemic heart disease, etc. was lower for people who slept 7-8 hours a night. Research shows that a good night’s sleep is highly beneficial to reduce risk of cancer and help battle cancer for people who have been diagnosed. Scientists believe sleep is a therapeutic tool while treating cancer because it gives the body the opportunity to heal. During deep sleep, the body repairs damaged DNA and cells, allowing for healthy cells to develop instead. When healthy cells grow and damaged cells are repaired, the body’s immune system strengthens. Sleep deprivation exacerbates several risks, including cell replication error and damage to DNA, and evidence presents that cancer forms when there is an abundance of damaged cells.
Cardiovascular
Cancer / Immune System
SLEEP AND BEHAVIORALRX® MOBILE MEDICINE FOR THE MIND AND BODY
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