| Is it possible to loose weight overnight? A four-year | | | | overeat. Lack of sleep causes leptin level to drop and |
| study carried out by researchers at the University of | | | | in turn the ghrelin levels will rise. This is why we often |
| Wisconsin point outs that this is indeed possible. They | | | | feel hungrier when our body is not having sufficient |
| found that those who sleep seven to nine hours | | | | sleep. Lack of sleep also drains our energy, which can |
| nightly are less likely to be obese than those who | | | | result in eating more and being less active throughout |
| only have between two and four hours sleep a night. | | | | the day. |
| As a matter of fact those only having two to four | | | | While there is no hard and fast ruling as to the |
| hours a night were seventy three percent more likely | | | | number of hours which we should sleep each night, it |
| to be obese. They found that these percentages | | | | is recommended by the experts that we should have |
| lessened significantly in proportion, if the hours spent | | | | between eight and ten hours. This may not seem |
| sleeping were greater than before. Overweight and | | | | easy at first but by making some small changes in |
| obesity is a problem for millions of Americans. This | | | | the daily routine it should be possible to make time |
| research indicates that getting more sleep is an | | | | for some extra sleep. The first step is to decide |
| important step in sustaining a healthy body weight. | | | | what time you will retire to bed each night. In step |
| The National Sleep Foundation carried out a "Sleep In | | | | two setting aside half an hour before hand, for |
| America" poll in 2005. The findings were that adults in | | | | washing face, brushing teeth and other preparations |
| America sleep less than seven and hours a night at | | | | so that you are ready for sleep. Avoid watching |
| weekends and just over six and half hours per night | | | | television once in bed although reading a book or |
| throughout the week. When averaging the overall | | | | magazine may help. |
| time spent sleeping over the whole week, adults | | | | To minimize hormone levels (which may effect your |
| reported an average of only just under seven hours | | | | ability to fall asleep) exercising should be avoided for |
| a night These results show that the majority of | | | | at least two to three hours before going to bed. |
| adults get less than eight hours sleep each night. This | | | | Stimulants such as tea, coffee, nicotine, cola, |
| may have a knock on effect as to how much each | | | | chocolate and anything containing caffeine should not |
| individual weighs. | | | | be taken for at least four hours before going to |
| The above research found specifically, that it had to | | | | sleep. |
| do with the hormones ghrelin and leptin. The fat cells | | | | If you have problems sleeping there are many |
| release leptin to show the level of fat reserves | | | | superior nutritional supplements, which contain natural |
| accessible to the body. We feel full and satisfied | | | | ingredients, combined with vitamins, mineral and |
| when leptin levels are high. The opposite effect | | | | herbs, which aid sleep without any harsh side effects. |
| occurs when the leptin levels are low. When we are | | | | It is always best to check with your physician before |
| hungry the stomach releases ghrelin, the higher the | | | | commencing any supplement regime. |
| ghrelin levels the hungrier we feel and are inclined to | | | | |