Information regarding diabetes and day-to-day living with the disease.

It was found that six to eight hours of sleep proved to be the healthiest.
If men reported sleeping less than six hours a night or more than eight hours,
they were three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Other researchers
have proven the same statistics hold true for women as well as men.

These statistics remained high even after considering age, high blood pressure,
smoking, and how aware they were of health issues.

Too much or too little sleep can create hormone imbalances and metabolic changes.
A decrease in tolerance for carbohydrates, and insulin resistance that leads
to lower levels of leptin and increases the chances for becoming obese.

Those workers that have had to work a “swing” shift on their job
are prime examples for sleep problems, and other metabolic problems including
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and an increased risk of heart
disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Sleep is as important to your body as food and water. Many of the adults in
this country are not getting the right amount of sleep to keep their bodies
healthy. Pressures and stresses from working too many hours, trying to be a
good parent or spouse, and the wish to “play” more is taking away
the time we would normally be sleeping. Sleep deprivation is growing in our
nation and the industrialized world. By not sleeping enough hours, they are
opening themselves open for other diseases, including diabetes and eventually
even to death.

Studies also show that if you are not getting enough sleep it could lead to
the inability to curb your own appetite. It also makes a significant difference
in your sensitivity to insulin. People who received less than the recommended
hours of sleep showed an increased risk of obesity, which also will lead to
diabetes.

Workers in the United States are sleeping less than anyone else in the industrialized
world. That is when the statistics show we are also the least healthy and more
overweight than anyone else.

Can improving your sleep habits also help improve your glucose tolerance?
Studies show that people who increase their sleeping hours show an impressive
improvement in their glucose tolerance tests.

If you know you are already at risk for developing diabetes, make sure you are
getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep at regular times if possible,
and don’t try to make up for lack of sleep the night before. Truth is,
you can’t regain those lost hours. You will reduce your risk of diabetes
and improve your over-all health.