The type of sleep you get each night could affect your risk of over 80 diseases, according to a recent study. Researchers from Peking University and Capital Medical University in Beijing found that more REM sleep, the stage where most dreaming occurs, is linked to a lower risk of 83 diseases. More deep sleep, the most physically restorative stage, was connected with a lower risk of seven diseases.
The study, published in PLoS Medicine on September 17, analyzed data using wrist accelerometers from over 95,000 UK Biobank participants. Participants wore these devices for a week and were followed for a median period of 8.9 years, noting health condition onset or death.
Key Findings:
- Increased REM sleep duration was associated with a lower risk of diseases including heart failure, Parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.
- Increased deep sleep duration was linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, major depressive disorder, and Parkinson’s disease.
- Greater light sleep duration was associated with higher depression risk but reduced heart failure and cellulitis risks.
- Longer overall sleep was linked to a lower risk of around 50 conditions, including diabetes.
The researchers emphasized that six to eight hours of sleep per night provided optimal patterns and lowered disease risks. However, they noted some associations might stem from reverse causation, where symptoms affect sleep patterns.
Importance of Sleep:
Nour Makarem from Columbia University highlighted the study’s evidence that inadequate sleep increases the risk for several diseases. Eve Van Cauter from the University of Chicago noted that sufficient sleep is essential for health and wellness.
Girardin Jean-Louis of the University of Miami stressed that sleep duration shouldn’t be the only focus for sleep health. Sleep structure, regularity, and disruptions provide valuable insight into disease risk.
One study limitation was estimating sleep stages from wrist accelerometry rather than polysomnography, which provides precise physiological data.
Further Actions:
Van Cauter explained that sleep impacts every aspect of physiology, including neuronal recovery and waste removal in the brain. Poor sleep relates to hormonal imbalances and craving unhealthy foods, leading to weight gain and cardiometabolic consequences.
Makarem stated the need for practical interventions promoting sleep health alongside diet and physical activity. Van Cauter advocated for starting education on sleep’s importance early in childhood.
The findings underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to support longevity and reduce chronic disease burdens.