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Better Sleep Month occurs annually each May. This week, we highlight 5 studies curated by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress* (@F4CP) underscoring the importance of consistent sleep habits – not just more sleep – for overall health and well-being. Although doctors of chiropractic (DCs) focus on neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, they also care for the whole patient, which includes assessing sleep quality and other lifestyle choices that could be contributing to pain, poor posture or lack of mobility. Here are 5 recent studies on the health consequences of poor sleep:
Link in Women Between Lack of Sleep and Breast Cancer
Women who had difficulty sleeping 4+ nights a week were at an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk was even higher for women who had TV on in the room while sleeping, according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Link in Men Between Sleep Deprivation and Fat
Men felt less full after a high-fat meal and stored more fat when sleep-deprived, according to a study published late last year in the Journal of Lipid Research.
Sleep Irregularity and Cardiovascular Disease
A study published this year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology comprised of nearly 2,000 people whose sleep patterns were tracked over three years — found that those with irregular sleep schedules had a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
Poor Sleep and Gut Health
Researchers publishing in PLoS One found that poor sleep exerts a strong negative effect on gut health/microbiome diversity, which is associated with Parkinson’s disease and autoimmune diseases, as well as anxiety and depression.
Poor Sleep and Alzheimer’s Disease
A study published this year in Neurology found that even just one night of poor-quality sleep in healthy, young men increased the levels of tau — a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease — in their blood compared to after normal sleep.
Learn more about the correlation between lack of sleep, poor posture and stress.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
*A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) informs and educates the general public about the value of chiropractic care and its role in drug-free pain management.
