Poor Sleep Raises Risk Of Diabetes

Poor sleep quality may raise the risk of diabetes, according to a recent study by scientists at the University of Chicago Medical Centre. Poor sleep may be one of the causes underlying the alarming increase in adult-onset (or type 2) diabetes, where the body produces less insulin or has reduced ability to use the hormone.

Lack of sleep, particularly slow-wave or deep sleep, said the researchers reduces by a significant degree the ability of the human body to regulate the levels of sugar in the blood, thereby raising the risk of type 2 diabetes. The process does not take long, either: the research team found that after only three nights of insufficient deep sleep, the body's sensitivity to insulin was significantly lowered.

Becoming less sensitive to insulin (or becoming insulin resistant) is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The lowered insulin sensitivity was equivalent to putting on 20lb to 30lb in increased weight.

Several studies in the past have already shown that poor sleep impairs the capability of the body to metabolise glucose and to regulate appetite. This leads to a higher risk of obesity, and, according to the World Health Organisation, rising incidence of obesity is closely linked to incidence of diabetes. This new study has given the scientific community the first solid indication of a direct causative relationship between poor sleep and increased risk of diabetes.

Aside from the reduced insulin sensitivity that accompanied poor sleep, the researchers also found that the pancreas did not secrete more insulin to compensate for the reduced sensitivity. This led to an insufficiency of insulin. Insufficient insulin is thought to be the factor that distinguishes those who experience temporary insulin resistance and those who suffer chronic problems in metabolising glucose.

This finding is critical for those who are already overweight, i.e. are already in a pre-diabetic stage. They are probably already insulin resistant, but poor sleep will also give them insufficient insulin. The excess weight and poor sleep will likely lead to even greater risk of diabetes.

Information On How You Can Manage & Control Diabetes