Too Much or Too Little Sleep is Inflammatory

A new sleep study¹ demonstrates that sleeping too long as well as sleeping too little goes along with having too much inflammation.  It is already known that these types of sleep problems are associated with poor health, disease risk, and increased rates of mortality.  This new study links the inflammatory theme as an underlying mechanism affecting all types of sleep duration problems.

For an adult, a normal amount of sleep is 7 – 8 hours.  The study found that for each additional hour of sleep, the inflammatory markers CRP C-reactive protein. It is an acute phase protein that increases during systemic inflammation. It is a general way to assess cardiovascular disease risk. A more sensitive test for heart disease risk is hs-CRP, highly sensitive CRP. (C reactive protein) and IL6 (interleukin 6 Type of inflammatory cytokine secreted by T cells and macrophage Type of white blood cell designed to "eat up" debris and pathogens. It also stimulates various cells to respond to pathogens. that act as both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory in response to trauma, burns, and other tissue damage that leads to inflammation.) were elevated by 8%.  For each hour of sleep that was lacking the inflammatory maker TNFa Cytokine involved with systemic inflammation and regulation of immune cells. It is able to induce cell death, and inhibits tumorigenesis and viral replication. When dysfunctional it is associated with a number of disease processes. was elevated by 8%. 

Inflammation is not ever caused by only one issue.  Key problems are stress, being overweight, eating poorly, chemicals in the diet, pollution, and adverse lifestyle factors.  On the positive side are exercise, meditation/prayer, relaxing activities, a high quality diet eaten in harmony with leptin, and supplements that help reduce inflammation.

Managing your bank account of relaxed reserves is the key to getting a good night’s sleep and preserving your health.  This new study shows that healthy longevity depends on it.