New research finds that one night of sleep deprivation and six months on a high-fat diet could both impair insulin sensitivity to a similar degree, demonstrating the importance of a good night’s sleep on health. (stock image) Credit: © tab62 / Fotolia
New research finds 1 night of sleep deprivation and six months on a high-fat diet could both impair insulin sensitivity to a similar degree, demonstrating the importance of a good night’s sleep on health. This study used a canine model to examine whether sleep deprivation and a high-fat diet affect insulin sensitivity in similar ways.
When the body becomes insulin resistant, it needs to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar stable. This may eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes which is a/w heart disease. Individuals with obesity are more likely to develop insulin resistance and subsequently, diabetes.
“Research has shown that sleep deficiency and a high-fat diet both lead to impaired insulin sensitivity, but it was previously unknown which leads to more severe insulin resistance,” said Dr. Broussard. “Our study suggests that one night of total sleep deprivation may be as detrimental to insulin sensitivity as six months on a high-fat diet. This research demonstrates the importance of adequate sleep in maintaining blood sugar levels and reducing risk for metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes.”
Method: They measured insulin sensitivity in 8 male dogs before and after diet-induced obesity. Prior to the high-fat feeding, researchers used an IV glucose tolerance test to measure insulin sensitivity in dogs that had one night of sleep deprivation, and compared results to dogs that had a normal night’s sleep. The dogs were then fed a high-fat diet for 6 months, at which point they were tested again. Prior to the high-fat diet, one night of sleep deprivation reduced insulin sensitivity by 33%; this reduction was similar to the reduction caused by a high-fat diet alone (21%). Once the dogs had impaired insulin sensitivity from the high-fat diet, one night of sleep deprivation did not further impair the insulin sensitivity.
“One night of sleep deprivation and six months of a high-fat diet both reduced insulin sensitivity by a similar degree in canines; however, there was no additive effect of sleep loss and high-fat diet,” continued Dr. Broussard. “This may suggest a similar mechanism by which both insufficient sleep and a high-fat diet induce insulin resistance. It could also mean that after high-fat feeding, insulin sensitivity cannot be reduced further by sleep loss.” Sleep deprivation can also lead to increased food intake and overall increased risk for metabolic diseases.
Future research should examine the pathways that may account for the interactions between sleep and diet and their relationship to insulin sensitivity. It will also be important to determine whether insulin sensitivity is improved after recovery sleep, which is beginning to be addressed in clinical studies. http://www.newswise.com/articles/one-night-of-poor-sleep-could-equal-six-months-on-a-high-fat-diet-study-shows
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