Sleep To Lose Weight, Really?

I read that you can sleep to lose weight. Really, can this be true? If it were that easy to lose weight then people desiring to lose weight would spend their spare time sleeping. So what happened to exercise as part of the equation to successful weight loss? Good question. In researching the role sleep plays in weight loss I discovered some interesting information.

Everyone knows you can’t go very long without sleep. Regardless of how hard you try your body will ultimately demand rest. Sleep is a natural function of animals, human or otherwise. Some can sleep sitting, standing up, hanging upside down or just lying down.

Sleep is a key function of our existence in that our body must have time to recuperate from various physical and mental efforts performed while awake. The paradox is that the body continues to work when we are asleep.

So, what does sleep have to do with weight loss? Well, first we need to understand that during waking hours we cause damage to our bodies by physical and mental stress and exposure to harmful things such as chemicals and ultraviolet rays. Then during sleep our cells go about the seemingly miraculous process of damage repair. This is normal. Our body is designed to actually heal itself.

The body burns calories for the energy needed to make all the repairs. One source indicated that while we are dreaming the brain uses more energy than when we are awake. All the calories used during sleep do not amount to a large number. However, hormones active during sleep can have an effect on appetite and what we eat.

Studies have shown that two hormones, ghrelin and leptin, have a lot to do with how hungry you are when you wake up. Fat cells secrete leptin. A feeling of hunger happens when the leptin level is low. Increased levels of leptin send signals that the body is full. The stomach secretes ghrelin which increases appetite. It was discovered in some case studies that not getting enough sleep resulted in low levels of leptin and high levels of ghrelin. This can trigger hunger, particularly for something high in sugar and salt. On a smaller scale I have experienced this craving after an occasional nap. I have seen many others do the same; we reach for something salty or sweet.

It is important to get enough sleep for the body to recover and balance hormone levels. Studies have found that for those people getting 8.5 hours sleep, more than half their lost weight came from fat. Over 50% less fat was lost for those getting only 5.5 hours of sleep. Everyone’s adequate sleep time may differ. Seven hours seems to work for me.

This is all good information, but don’t go to bed an hour earlier tonight just for the purpose of losing weight. Adequate sleep is just one of the factors in the equation of weight loss. A healthy life style including diet and exercise is the key to weight control. Getting the proper amount of sleep helps your body help you lose weight.  

You can get more information on Dieting and Bedtime and Eating Snack Food here.

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