A new study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, suggests that better sleep can help prevent and treat metabolic disorders. Inadequate sleep isn’t the only problem for these metabolic disorders. The researchers suggest a link between disturbing the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and poor metabolic health, in addition to higher rates of chronic illness and early mortality.

The review, conducted by researchers from the University of Lubeck, the University of Tubingen and the eSwiss Medical and Surgical Centre, included observational and experimental studies published between 1998 and 2013.

The research remains a starting point, suggesting that the loss of sleep affects the body’s ability to metabolize sugar and control food intake and maintain its energy balance.

In the findings, the review found that disruption of the body's natural sleep cycle - as experienced by shift workers - has a pronounced link with suffering metabolic health, as well as rates of chronic illness and early death.

The authors also found that the use of portable devices like tablets and portable video games are corroding sleep quality.

“Ongoing and future studies will show whether interventions to improve sleep duration and quality can prevent or even reverse adverse metabolic traits,” the researchers concluded.

The researchers recommend that sleep education programs and cognitive behavioral therapies promoting improved sleep hygiene may help individuals whose sleep deprivation is at risk of affecting their health.

In addition, the review suggests that the improvement of environmental conditions, such as avoiding noise and light during sleep times, can also boost the restorative powers of good-quality sleep.

Additional Resource:
The metabolic burden of sleep loss