People who have insomnia may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. New research has found a link between people who have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep and high blood sugar levels.
The study published in Diabetes Care used a statistical technique called Mendelian Randomization to see how five sleep measures – insomnia, daytime sleepiness, sleep duration, napping, and morning or evening preference – were related to blood sugar levels. This was monitored using a measure called HbA1c levels. The Mendelian Randomization was used to group people according to a genetic code randomly assigned at birth, allowing researchers to remove any bias from the results.
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Out of the 336,999 adults included in the study, people who reported they often had difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep had higher blood sugar levels than people who said they never, rarely, or only sometimes had these difficulties. There was no other clear link between other sleep traits and blood sugar levels.
The study’s corresponding author explained, “We estimated that an effective insomnia treatment could result in more glucose lowering than an equivalent intervention, which reduces body weight by 14kg in a person of average height. This means around 27,300 UK adults, aged between 40- and 70-years old, with frequent insomnia symptoms, would be free from having diabetes if their insomnia was treated.”
This new study offers an important insight into the relationship between sleep loss and type 2 diabetes. It suggests that insufficient sleep can cause higher blood sugar levels, which could play a direct role in the development of diabetes.
There are some treatments for insomnia, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Prescription medications may also be available for patients along with a hormone called melatonin if CBT does not work.
Managing Sleep and Blood Sugar
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Lifestyle can also play an essential role in the management of insomnia. Getting plenty of exercise and ensuring proper vitamin and nutrient intake can go a long way to helping ensure a good night’s sleep. Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness. With a variety of ingredients, including melatonin and valerian, this unique formula offers well-rounded support for a restful night’s sleep.
Healthy Blood Sugar Support is an excellent choice for those looking to maintain or support blood sugar levels. This formula has been shown in clinical trials to help support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
By using various ingredients, Healthy Blood Sugar Support provides comprehensive support for overall health, including supporting blood-sugar metabolism, maintaining healthy blood sugar balance, promoting healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range, and helping to reduce excessive hunger or increased appetite.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
