Want to lose weight?
Weight loss doctor in Bergen County NJ Dr. Betty Keller Explains How Sleep Impacts Weight Loss
Could your lack of sleep be causing you to gain those extra-unwanted pounds?
Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
There have been many studies confirming the association of sleep deprivation and obesity in both children and adults. When people don’t get enough sleep they tend to eat more and gain weight.
When You’re Tired, You Eat Differently
A recent study by The University of California Berkeley suggests one reason may be the effect lack of sleep has on your brain. The study found that after just one night of sleep deprivation the brain had a heightened response to junk food, which means you actually experience greater pleasure than you normally, would.
In addition the part of your brain — the frontal cortex — that is responsible for higher thinking and impulse control showed a decreased in activity. So not only do you get greater pleasure from eating junk food when you’re tired, you also have less ability to stop yourself from over-indulging.
Other studies have shown that a lack of sleep increases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol increases your appetite, and also tells your body to hold onto fat.
There are many physiologic and psychological reasons that we gain weight when we are sleep deprived. The bottom line, sleep is essential. When you are well rested you make better choices have energy to exercise, feel more positive and think more clearly.
The good news is getting more sleep is a simple cost effective, side effect free way to look and feel better and maybe even drop those few unwanted pounds. Try and get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
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To A Healthier You!
Dr. Betty Keller