Chronic Insomnia Causes Weight Gain Demystified

Posted on November 27th, 2009.

We all need our beauty sleep but good nights rest for weight loss is critical. A new study purports that without steady sleep habits, also known as chronic insomnia, two weight gain related hormones are disturbed. Ghrelin and leptin are directly responsible for regulating the body’s energy balance. Chronic insomnia disrupts their nocturnal balance, interfering with feelings of hunger and satiety.

“The current study shows that chronic insomnia patients have a dysregulation in energy balance that could explain why these patients experience weight gain over time,” said Dr. Motivala, who is a member of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA. “This is an exciting finding because it highlights how diverse behaviors like sleep and eating are connected… it is another example of the importance of a good night’s sleep for the body.”

Ghrelin, a peptide secreted by the stomach, stimulates appetite and will increase before meals. Leptin, which affects body weight and is secreted primarily by fat cells, signals the hypothalamus regarding

: Image by Mark Cummins via Flickr

the degree of fat storage in the body. A decrease in leptin tells the body there are not enough calories being ingested and stimulates hunger in response. An increase in leptin levels will elevate energy output.

Dr. Motivala compared his findings with other, earlier studies on sleep deprivation and speculates that a switch may occur during the day: Sleep loss leads to increased ghrelin and decreased leptin, a “double whammy” that winds up stimulating the appetite.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132151.htm

GABA, an amino acid, counters both effects of poor sleep and weight gain. For chronic insomnia, changing bedtime habits and getting proper nutritional support might be just the solution to help keep weight gain at bay.

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