One more reason to get a good night’s sleep – missing out on shuteye could mean you gain weight.
Shockingly, even ONE night of sleep loss can affect tissue, altering your metabolism and the regulation of gene expression, according to new research.
The study, by Uppsala University, has shown that those who suffer disrupted sleep or work shift patterns are at an increased risk of obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Previous studies have already highlighted a link between disrupted sleep and weight gain, where fat levels increase at the same time as muscle mass is reduced. But until now it has never been clear that a lack of sleep can affect your body from tissue level.
This study involved 15 people of a normal weight having their sleep times affected. Afterwards, small tissue samples were taken via a biopsy from their subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle. Blood samples were also taken.
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The tissue samples were analysed at a molecular level, and it was found that there was a change in DNA methylation – which is responsible for regulating how the genes of each cell in the body are turned on or off.
The researchers are now interested in investigating whether restorative sleep can help reverse these effects.
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