Why a good nights sleep is a dieter’s best fiend..

Inadequate sleep has been linked to many things including an adverse impact on:

  • Mental health
  • Fertility
  • Immunity

Long term lack of sleep can lead you to put on weight because it changes the levels of two hormones:

  • Leptin – which is the satiety hormone
  • Ghrelin – which is the hunger hormone

Sleep deprivation increase ghrelin and decreases leptin so you feel hungry and never feel full – not a good combination, especially if you are on a diet.

The prefrontal cortex is the brain’s CEO – it makes the sensible decisions.   You can think of your amygdala and your prefrontal cortex as being in a tug of war.  When you haven’t slept well the amygdala is much more reactive and stronger and the prefrontal cortex is diminshed.  This doesn’t make for good food choices!  This is also why you stuggle to concentrate when you are tired.

 

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