Sleep is possibly the most overlooked aspect of successful weight loss. While there is a well known link between obesity and sleep, the actual role sleep plays in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism is often overlooked.

A recent study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden found evidence that, “lack of sleep encourages the body to store more fat, altering the body’s metabolism.” The study demonstrated that even a small shift in an individual’s sleep schedule may have significant effects on metabolism leading to weight gain.

“Chronic sleep loss, social jet lag, and shift work—widespread in our modern 24/7 societies—are associated with an increased risk of numerous metabolic pathologies, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes,” researchers explain in the new study. “Even minor weekly shifts in sleep timing, or as few as five consecutive nights of short sleep, have been associated with an increased risk of weight gain in healthy humans.”

In this study, fifteen volunteers were separated into two groups. One group received a normal night’s sleep and the other group had no sleep. Both groups gave samples of fat, muscle tissue, and blood. They were also asked to keep a food diary for the duration of the experiment. 

The most significant difference was in gene activity referred to as DNA methylation. This activity, “was linked to cells increasing their tendency to absorb lipids, boosting the body’s ability to store fats.” The participants who received no sleep also had a decreased ability to build or at least maintain muscle mass. Their bodies also experienced an increased state of inflammation and a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. 

To learn more: “Losing sleep can lead to more extra pounds”  ZME Science