Sleep loss impairs glucose regulation (but exercise helps)

Summary

Are you aware that sleep is just as important as exercise and nutrition when it comes to overall health and wellness? In this episode, Dr. Rhonda Patrick delves into the effects of sleep loss on our body's glucose regulation and how exercise can help mitigate its negative impact.

Numerous studies have clearly shown that sleep deprivation leads to acute insulin resistance, which makes it more difficult for our bodies to maintain glucose homeostasis. Our beta cells in the pancreas, responsible for producing and releasing insulin, become insensitive to glucose- leading to an imbalance that can trigger diabetes. Additionally, our muscle and fat cells' receptors also become less sensitive to insulin, impairing glucose uptake by the cells. The result is what's called "insulin resistance," which significantly raises the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes.

Fortunately, Dr. Patrick shares that there's hope in the form of exercise, particularly high-intensity interval training, as a means of helping combat these negative impacts of poor sleep. Exercise can induce cellular changes in the skeletal muscles that, in turn, improves insulin sensitivity and glucose handling.

Finally, it's essential to realize the significance of good sleep habits and practices in ensuring our glucose regulation works smoothly. From shutting off electronics, to having a cool and dark environment; making these small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. It's clear that sleep loss can be detrimental to our overall health, but with exercise and proper sleeping practices, we can mitigate the risk of developing diabetes and other chronic diseases.