Posted on March 30, 2009 in Latest News
More bad news for insomniacs. Not only does the general ill effects affect us but it is even more harmful as insomnia messes with hormones that lead to weight gain. This is what a recent study conducted at UCLA has to say.
What Was The Study?
The study took into consideration two hormones– ghrelin and leptin, that are responsible for making us hungry and full. What they found was that one of these hormones is disrupted by chronic insomnia.
What Are These Hormones?
Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach and creates stimulation for appetite. The level of ghrelin increases before meals.
Leptin is secreted by fat cells that determines the level of fat storage in our body; low leptin indicates our body of calorie shortage which in turn promotes hunger; increased leptin brings about energy expenditure.
What Is Chronic Insomnia?
This kind of insomnia generally runs in the family. There are a number of reasons that bring about chronic insomnia like anxiety, stress, injury, leg cramps, night shifts etc.
In The Study
The scientists found that people with chronic insomnia face the problem of irregular hormone levels. Ghrelin was almost 30% lower in chronic insomniacs. Though that apparently means decrease in appetite ,actually what happens is a reverse the day after. So, increase in ghrelin in the daytime leads to increase in weight.
Why does the shift take place is the question left to be answered. The researchers are trying to find the answers soon.
The journal Psychoneuroendocrinology will publish the find in its May edition but is available online only by subscription.
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