Can Sleep Patterns Affect Your Metabolism?

Dr. Dan JensenOverall Health

Can Sleep Patterns Affect Your Metabolism?
Dr. Dan Jensen

Sleep patterns are far more powerful than we realize. Our bodies appreciate routine, and you likely fall asleep and wake up at around the same time every day. Sleep affects our mood and concentration, and lack of sleep makes it difficult to get through the day. Sleep is also associated with poor heart health, and is a risk factor for weight gain and diabetes. Can sleep patterns affect your metabolism?

Sleeping Too Little or Too Much

We all live busy lives, and have far too many things on our to-do list each day. Who hasn’t sacrificed an hour of sleep to get one more thing done, or decided they can make up for the lost sleep later? On the weekend we give ourselves permission to sleep in, and clock 12 hours of sleep to make up for all the sleep we lost during the week. These uneven sleep patterns can affect your metabolism!

What effect does too much sleep or too little sleep have on our bodies? Both can negatively impact your health. It’s recommended that adults sleep between 7 to 9 hours every night, and sleeping more or fewer hours could be a sign that something’s not right. Sleeping the wrong amount can lead to obesity, headaches, back aches, and heart problems. It can also cause your metabolism to speed up or slow down, and increase your risk of diabetes.

Metabolic Syndrome

A study looking at sleep and metabolism collected health and sleep data from over 130,000 adults, and analyzed the information to discover links between sleep and metabolism. They found that anyone sleeping less than 6, or more than 10, hours per night had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is defined as problems with metabolism, including hypertension, low HDL or good cholesterol levels, high glucose levels, and weight gain. In the study, nearly 30% of men had metabolic syndrome, and 24% of women also suffered from metabolism problems.

Signs of Metabolism Issues

Watch for the signs of metabolism issues in you and your loved ones, and if you think you might have metabolic syndrome, visit your doctor immediately. If you’ve noticed problems in your sleep, be vigilant in watching for changes in your metabolism. Excessive daytime drowsiness, even if you’ve been sleeping 7 to 9 hours per night, is a sign that you may have sleep apnea and are at risk of metabolism issues.

If you’ve had any recent lifestyle changes, both your sleep and your metabolism can be affected. Do you have a new work schedule, or did you recently move cities? Has your partner started waking you up during the night, or have you changed your exercise routine? These can all affect your sleep cycle and your metabolism. Changes in weight, mood swings, and increased irritability can also point to metabolism issues and sleep problems.

The Consequences of Poor Sleep

Along with feeling fatigued, struggling to get through tasks, and noticing changes to your mood and energy levels, poor sleep can lead to a host of negative health outcomes. Your sleep patterns affect your metabolism, leading to weight gain and increasing your chances of diabetes. Poor sleep also affects your brain in profound ways, and if you have sleep apnea or aren’t getting enough sleep every night, you are at increased risk of anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s, dementia, and even higher risks of illness and infection.

Treating Sleep Problems

Consistent sleep patterns will help you maintain your overall health and protect your wellbeing. Your physical, mental, and emotional health are all closely related to your sleep, so ensuring you’re sleeping the right number of hours every night will help you stay happy and healthy. Worried about your metabolism, or know that you’re at risk of diabetes? Treat your sleep problems and improve your health!

Call us today at Sound Sleep Medical to schedule a consultation with one of our sleep specialists. We’ll talk about your sleep patterns, how much sleep you need, and what sleep habits you should adopt in order to get the rest you deserve. We’ll talk about sleep hygiene, and help you discover the best routines that fit your lifestyle. Do you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder keeping you awake at night? We have treatment options that will have you sleeping soundly in no time.