The Dream Diet... Lose Weight While You Sleep

Research is discovering fascinating links between sleep and our weight. How much we sleep and the quality of our sleep has proven the late night munchies are not the only contributor to our waistline.

Have you ever experienced a restless night and the following day felt peckish and unsatisfied? Welcome to the workings of leptin and ghrelin.

Leptin and ghrelin are the two hormones responsible for the latest revelation in weight loss. The hormones work in a “checks and balances” system to control feelings of hunger and fullness. Ghrelin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract stimulating the appetite, while leptin, produced in fat cells, sends a signal to the brain when you are full. When you don’t get enough sleep, leptin levels drop, and you don’t feel as satisfied after you eat. Lack of sleep also causes ghrelin levels to rise, which in turn, stimulates our appetite.

In their research, doctors measured levels of leptin and ghrelin in twelve healthy men. The men were subjected to two days of sleep deprivation followed by two days of extended sleep. During this time, doctors continued to monitor hormone levels, appetite, and activity. When sleep was restricted, leptin levels went down and ghrelin levels went up. The men’s appetite increased and their desire for high carbohydrate, calorie dense food increased by 45%.

In the second study, 1,000 volunteers reported the number of hours they slept each night. Doctors then measured their levels of ghrelin and leptin, as well as charted their weight. Those who slept less than eight hours a night not only had lower levels of leptin and higher levels of ghrelin; they also had a higher level of body fat. Furthermore, their loss of body fat seemed to correlate with their sleep patterns. Those who slept the fewest hours per night weighed the most. By improving your sleeping habits, you are less reliant on sweet foods and high carbohydrate snacks to keep up your energy levels and that automatically translates into eating fewer calories.

Sources
An Exerpt from the Article:
Bouchet, C. “The Dream Diet: Losing Weight While You Sleep”
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping?ecd=wnl_lbt_061307, accessed 2 July 2007.