What if you could sleep away your risk for obesity?
We know obesity increases your risk for sleep apnea and GERD, both of which can make it tough to rest easy. But it now appears that it's a two-way street. Poor sleep habits contribute to becoming obese. A study in BMC Public Health found that the amount of sleep you get (too little or too much) and the quality of your sleep (you wake up frequently or don't get deep sleep) increase your risk for obesity. In fact, the risk is 41% higher among folks with poor sleep patterns vs. those with healthy ones. This happens, in part, because sleep disturbances cause the release of weight-promoting hormones such as insulin, ghrelin and cortisol.
If you sleep more than nine or less than 6.5 hours nightly; experience breathing problems while trying to sleep, wake up frequently (even if just to pee), or have acid reflux, work with your doctor to determine if some physical problem is the cause (urinary issues, GERD, apnea, etc.). Explore stress/anxiety/depression issues that may disturb your sleep -- and find treatment. Evaluate your bedtime habits -- are you in bed and on your phone or watching a screen? That needs to stop. Also, make sure to get 30-60 minutes of exercise daily -- you'll be amazed how that improves your sleep. And don't eat anything within three hours of bedtime. Plus, if you're becoming obese or are obese, you may benefit from therapeutic plasma exchange to help overcome chronic inflammation and associated health conditions that can disturb your sleep -- and shorten your lifespan.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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