Are Sleep Habits Linked to Diabetes?

How much sleep do you need each night? Do you not get enough sleep? Do you get too much? Your sleep habits have been proven to contribute developing Type 2 diabetes. A research done by the Yale School of Medicine studied over 1709 men who were between the ages of 40 to 70 years old. This research spanned 15 years and included health questionnaires, blood samples, and home visits. 

It was found that six to eight hours of sleep proved to be the healthiest. If men reported sleeping less than six hours a night or more than eight hours, they were three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Other researchers have proven the same statistics hold true for women as well as men. 

These statistics remained high even after considering age, high blood pressure, smoking, and awareness of health issues. 

Too much or too little sleep can create hormone imbalances and metabolic changes. A decrease in tolerance for carbohydrates, and insulin resistance that leads to lower levels of leptin and increases the chances for becoming obese. 

Those workers that have had to work a "swing" shift on their job are prime examples for sleep problems, and other metabolic problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 

Sleep is as important to your body as food and water. Many of the adults in this country are not getting the right amount of sleep to keep their bodies healthy. Pressures and stresses from working too many hours, trying to be a good parent or spouse, and the wish to "play" more is taking away the time we would normally be sleeping. Sleep deprivation is growing in our nation and the industrialized world. By not sleeping enough hours, they are opening themselves open for other diseases, including diabetes and eventually even to death. 

Studies also show that if you are not getting enough sleep it could lead to the inability to curb your own appetite. It also makes a significant difference in your sensitivity to insulin. People who do not get the recommended hours of sleep also have an increased risk of obesity, which in turn leads to an increased risk of diabetes. 

Workers in the United States are sleeping less than others in the industrialized world. Statistics show we are also the least healthy and more overweight than anyone else. 
 
Can improving your sleep habits also help improve your glucose tolerance? Studies show that people who increase their sleeping hours show an impressive improvement in their glucose tolerance tests. 

If you know you are already at risk for developing diabetes, make sure you are getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep at regular times if possible, and do not try to make up for lack of sleep the night before. You cannot regain those lost hours. You will reduce your risk of diabetes and improve your over-all health.