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New health warning on lack of sleep as study finds sleeping less than six hours each night may increase risk of type 2 diabetes

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Spending less than six hours each night was linked to a 16 percent higher risk of developing the condition. And the odds remained high even when people ate healthily, suggesting that eating well cannot compensate for lack of sleep. The Swedish researchers, who tracked almost 250,000 Britons, said their findings

Not getting enough sleep can lead to type 2 diabetes, study suggests.

Spending less than six hours each night was linked to a 16 percent higher risk of developing the condition.

And the odds remained high even when people ate healthily, suggesting that eating well cannot compensate for lack of sleep.

The Swedish researchers, who followed almost 250,000 Britons, said their findings “should not cause concern.”

Rather, they should act as a “reminder that sleep plays an important role in health.”

New health warning on lack of sleep as study finds

Spending less than six hours each night was linked to a 16 percent higher risk of developing the condition. And the odds remained high even when people ate healthily, suggesting that eating well cannot compensate for lack of sleep. The Swedish researchers, who tracked almost 250,000 Britons, said their findings “should not cause concern”.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22, according to the latest UK figures. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22, according to the latest UK figures. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22, according to the latest UK figures. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Study author Dr Christian Benedict, a sleep researcher at Uppsala University, said: “In general, I recommend prioritizing sleep.”

“Although I understand that’s not always possible, especially as a father of four teenagers.”

Although they found that a healthy diet could not offset the risks of lack of sleep, experts acknowledged that people who sleep the recommended seven to nine hours “tend to consume less sugar and fewer calories.”

Dr. Benedict said this “likely contributes to better long-term metabolic health.”

Other factors that could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in people who sleep poorly include leading a sedentary lifestyle, he added.

WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

More than 4 million people in the UK are thought to suffer from some form of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight and you are more likely to get it if it runs in your family.

The condition means that the body does not react properly to insulin, the hormone that controls the absorption of sugar into the blood, and cannot properly regulate blood glucose levels.

Excess fat in the liver increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as the accumulation makes it difficult to control glucose levels and also makes the body more resistant to insulin.

Weight loss is the key to reducing liver fat and controlling symptoms.

Symptoms include tiredness, thirst, and frequent urination.

It can cause more serious problems with your nerves, vision, and heart.

Treatment usually involves changing your diet and lifestyle, but more severe cases may require medication.

Source: NHS Options; Diabetes.es

Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said: “No one thing causes type 2 diabetes.

“Genetics, age and body weight are all good contributing factors, but inadequate sleep is often an under-recognized factor.

“This research suggests that a healthy diet alone will not offset the increased risk of type 2 diabetes from too little sleep, and is a reminder that nutrition, exercise and sleep are essential components of good health.”

Other studies have linked lack of sleep to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke.

Britons who took part in the study were asked about their sleeping patterns and dietary habits, including their consumption of meat, fish and processed vegetables.

Healthy eating was defined as consuming less than two servings of unprocessed red meat per week, or less than two of processed meat.

It also involved eating four or more tablespoons of vegetables a day, two or more pieces of fruit a day and two or more servings of seafood a week.

During a 12-year follow-up, 7,905 Britons were diagnosed with this disease.

Volunteers The results showed that those who followed the healthiest diets had a 25 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

But writing in the diary JAMA NetworkDr. Benedict and his colleagues said the link between lack of sleep and type 2 diabetes “persisted even in people who followed a healthy diet.”

Britons who slept three to four hours each night were 41 percent more likely to have the condition, compared to those who slept a “normal” amount (defined as seven or eight hours).

Meanwhile, Britons who slept five hours a night had a 16 per cent higher risk of developing the condition.

There were “no statistically significant differences” between participants who reported a normal sleep duration and those who reported six hours.

The researchers adjusted for factors that could have skewed their findings, including weight, smoking, antidepressant use and activity levels.

They said more research was needed to understand why lack of sleep was associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

But they added: “The high prevalence of short sleepers may contribute to the projected global escalation in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.”

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin it does produce does not work properly.

This hormone is necessary to reduce blood sugar levels.

Having high blood sugar levels over time can lead to heart attacks and strokes, as well as eye, kidney, and foot problems.

Sufferers may need to review their diet, take daily medications, and have regular checkups.

Symptoms of this condition, which is diagnosed with a blood test, include excessive thirst, tiredness, and the need to urinate more frequently. But many people have no symptoms.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22, according to the latest UK figures.

And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it.

About 90 percent of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and is usually diagnosed in middle age, rather than type 1 diabetes, a genetic condition that is usually identified early in life.

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HOW MUCH SLEEP SHOULD YOU GET? AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU STRUGGLE TO GET ENOUGH

Preschool (3-5 years): 10-13 hours

School age (6-13 years): 9-11 hours

Teen (14-17 years): 8-10 hours

young adult (18-25) 7-9 hours

Adult (26-64): 7-9 hours

Elderly (65 or older) 7-8 hours

Source: Sleep Foundation

WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY SLEEP?

1) Limit screen time one hour before bedtime

Our bodies have an internal “clock” in the brain, which regulates our circadian rhythm.

Cell phones, laptops and televisions emit blue light, which sends signals to our brain to keep us awake.

2) Address your ‘racing mind’

Take 5 to 10 minutes before bed to sit down with a notebook and write a list of everything you need to do the next day.

3) Avoid caffeine after 12:00 p.m.

If you want to have a hot drink in the afternoon or evening, opt for decaffeinated tea or coffee.

4) Maintain a cool temperature in the bedroom

Keep bedroom thermostats at about 18°C. During spring/summer try sleeping with your bedroom window open to reduce the temperature and increase ventilation.

5) Limit alcohol at night.

While you may fall into deep sleep more easily at first, you later wake up frequently during the night and generally have poorer deep sleep.

6) Supplement vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a role in sleep. Vitamin D is widely available online and in most pharmacies.

If you are not sure if this is appropriate or how much you need, consult your GP.

7) Ensure sufficient intake of magnesium and zinc.

Foods rich in magnesium include spinach, kale, avocado, bananas, cashews, and seeds.

Foods rich in zinc include meat, oysters, crab, cheese, cooked lentils, and dark chocolate (70%+).

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