ack of sleep has been linked to overweight and obesity. In addition to the known health problems caused by lack of sleep, including altered mood and decreased mental and motor skills, research suggests that too little sleep causes hormone changes that might lead to obesity.

Sleep is a critical function of living. During sleep, our body rejuvenates and our brain has a chance to rearrange data that was stored at temporary sites during the day. We need to go into deep sleep in order for our body and mind to be thoroughly renewed. It is not so much a matter of time, but more a matter of quality.

However, our "always-on" culture has created a sleep-deprived generation. Cell phones, computers, PDAs and 24-hour cable television keep our brains stimulated. Women often have more trouble sleeping deeply because of blood deficiency (slight anemia). The result is fatigue, poor health and, surprisingly, weight gain.


In order to understand the link between sleep deprivation and weight gain it is important to know how much quality sleep we need. Experts believe that adults require seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Studies have shown that decreased amounts of REM sleep can lead to an increased food intake. The two phases of sleep are referred to as non-REM sleep and REM sleep. The "REM" in both phases stands for "Rapid Eye Movement."

Non-REM: Non-REM sleep is divided into four phases:

• Phase 1: During this phase, a person is in between wake and sleep. The person can be awakened easily.
• Phase 2: This is a period of light sleep during which body temperature drops.
• Phase 3 and Phase 4: These are the phases during which a person experiences an increasingly deeper stage of sleep called delta sleep. During this restorative stage, the body is repairing itself, building bone and muscle and releasing certain hormones.

REM: REM is the phase during which a person dreams. It's a period of greater brain activity but less muscle activity.


Researchers now believe that sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, may contribute more to obesity than they once thought. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a sleeping person stops breathing because his or her airways are obstructed, or blocked.

Although sleep apnea can affect anyone, it is more common in overweight men. Other risk factors include being more than 40 years old, having a large neck and having a family history of the disorder. While some may think sleep apnea is just a snoring problem, if left untreated, it can lead to heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

People who suffer from sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are less likely to enter the deeper, restorative phases of sleep and therefore run the risk of packing on extra pounds as well.


Leptin and Grehlin are hormones that help the body control appetite and weight gain and loss. Leptin suppresses appetite, while Grehlin increases appetite and may prevent a person from losing weight.

When lack of sleep becomes a chronic problem, levels of Grehlin increases, causing greater appetite, and levels of Leptin decrease. Regardless of diet and exercise, it's possible that some obesity is caused, or made worse, by sleep deprivation.


If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe one therapy, or a combination of therapies. Regular exercise will improve your quality of sleep, as will reducing or eliminating you intake of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.

If enlarged tonsils are obstructing your airway and causing sleep apnea, the doctor might want to surgically remove the organs. He or she also may prescribe sleep medications to help you sleep through the night. While some newer sleep medications may be used for long-term sleep problems, it's important for you and your doctor to weigh their risks and benefits.

Getting your sleep problems diagnosed and treated may be the first step in accomplishing your weight loss goals. If you've tried everything to lose weight and nothing seems to be working, don't give up. Lack of sleep may be keeping you from achieving weight loss success.


It is wise to learn the art of sleeping deeply. Meditate or otherwise truly relax before going to sleep – quiet the mind and relax the body. Clear your mind of negative thoughts and emotions before going to sleep. Meditate on or visualize something beautiful before going to sleep. If you have difficulty sleeping, take a Shen tonic, amino acid L-Theanine green tea that quiets the mind and has been proven to improve the quality of sleep.