Why Sleep is Important for Weight Loss

We’ve been told time and time again, that the secret to weight loss success (especially after bariatric surgery) is to eat less and move more. While that advice is true, it seems we may be missing one additional vital component to achieving our healthy weight. According to studies done by the sleep division at Arrowhead Health in Glendale, AZ. research has shown that an important factor in losing weight, and keeping it off, is adequate sleep.

Our bodies create hormones that act as stop and go signals for hunger, says Michael Breus, PhD, clinical director of the sleep division for Arrowhead Health in Glendale, Ariz. and the author of Beauty Sleep. Aside from slowing the metabolism, lack of sleep lowers the amount of “stop” hormones, Leptin, that the body produces and increases ghrelin, which signals the body to eat. When you consider that the average American sleeps just six hours a night- down from 7 hours a night only 10 years ago, and 9 hours a night at the turn of the century- it’s no wonder American’s are struggling with weight and obesity issues.

While the laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding procedures are exceptional tools for helping patients to lose weight, at Surgical Specialists of Louisiana and Mississippi we believe that the most successful weight loss comes from incorporating a change in habits and lifestyle for continued success after weight loss surgery. A nutritious diet, exercise, and sleep are all important factors in achieving a healthy weight. So, how exactly does sleep help with weight loss?

Reduce Stress
A good nights rest can help keep hormone levels stable and eliminate behaviors that follow sleep-deprivation. Lack of sleep can cause the body to create cortisol, a hormone often linked with stress. According to a study done by Harvard Medical School, “ cortisol increases appetite and may also ramp up… the motivation to eat.” Our brains may actually signal us to look for high-fat, sugary “comfort foods” after a stressful, sleep-deprived day.

Reduce Overeating
Following a study from Columbia University, it was suggested that people who receive too little sleep tend to overeat. Sleep-deprived test subjects were hungrier and ate nearly 300 more calories than patients who received a full evening rest.

Allows Bodies to Burn Calories More Efficiently
How would you like to burn more calories each day by simply snoozing a little more? Research done by Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that people who get 8.5 hours of sleep a night lose more fat and less muscle while they sleep, than those who are getting less than six per evening. Just getting three extra hours of sleep amped up patients metabolic rate and burned more than 400 additional calories!

While busy schedules can make getting enough rest difficult, adequate sleep is important for both physical and emotional health. If necessary, review your day and see what items you can eliminate to carve out more time for sleep. To learn more about weight loss surgery with one of our nine board-certified surgeons, visit us at www.whyweight.com to attend one of our free seminars, or call us at 877-681-3001.