You may have heard of the now famous Harvard Nurses's study but if not here's a quick synopsis:
The Nurses' Health Study, established in 1976 by Dr. Frank Speizer and the Nurses' Health Study II, established in 1989 by Dr. Walter Willett are the most definitive long-term epidemiological studies conducted to date on older women's health. The study has followed 121,700 female registered nurses since the mid-1970s to assess risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease. The studies are among the largest investigations into risk factors for major chronic diseases in women ever conducted.
One of the study's observations noted that lack of sleep lead to some women becoming over weight. Women who reported sleeping fewer than 5 hours per night were 32% more likely to gain more than 15kg (2st 3lbs) over a span of 16 years and on average 1kg (2lbs) per year more than those who slept longer each night!
The results surprised the researchers and their initial thoughts were like mine ie. those women who slept less must have eaten more but when the results were analysed the opposite was found to be true and the women who were sleeping less were actually eating less!
Research appears to suggest that this sleep LESS weight GAIN phenomenon may in part be due to the hormone Melatonin or rather lack of it.
Melatonin is the hormone of sleep and is produced when day light starts to fade. Melatonin is not only responsible for helping us to sleep but it is also a powerful anti oxidant. More importantly for those of us who have acquired a few extra pounds around our middles melatonin regulates the release of Leptin another hormone which is an important regulator of appetite and consequently weight gain.
If you would like to know how to boost your levels of melatonin and get a great nights' restorative sleep then download my free guide 'Sleep Or Lack Of It' now by clicking on the link below or scroll up to the top of the page and click on Free Guides.
To your health
Margaret x
