New mothers experiencing sleep loss may be speeding up their aging. According to new research published from UCLA, too little sleep in the first six months after birth can add three to seven years to a woman’s “biological age.”
The study published in Sleep Health studied 33 mothers during their pregnancies in the first year of their baby’s lives. They analyzed women’s DNA blood samples to determine their biological age, as it can differ from chronological age.
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It was found that a year after giving birth, the biological age of mothers who slept less than seven hours a night at the six-month mark were 3 to 7 years older compared to those who got 7 hours of sleep or more.
Those who slept less than seven hours also had shorter telomeres in their white blood cells. Telomeres are small pieces of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that act as protective caps, similar to plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces. Shortened telomeres have previously been linked to a higher risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other illnesses, along with earlier death.
Researchers suggest that new mothers take advantage of opportunities to get a little extra sleep. This could include taking naps during the day when their baby is asleep, accepting offers of assistance from family and friends, and asking their partner to help with the baby during the night. They believe mothers who take care of their sleep needs will ultimately help themselves and their babies in the long run.
Accelerated biological aging linked to sleep loss could increase women’s health risks. The study used the latest scientific methods of analyzing changes in DNA to look at biological aging. This type of aging is also known as epigenetic aging. DNA creates the code for making proteins that carry out many functions in the cells of the body.
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Epigenetics focuses on whether regions of this code are open or closed. When access to DNA code is closed, genes for specific proteins cannot be expressed and are therefore turned off. This means the greater the individuals biological or epigenetic age, the greater risk of disease and earlier death.
Lasting Effect on Physical Health
“The early months of postpartum sleep deprivation could have a lasting effect on physical health,” said the study’s first author, Judith Carroll, “We know from a large body of research that sleeping less than seven hours a night is detrimental to health and increases the risk of age-related diseases.”
The study’s cohort was not a large representative sample of women, so more studies are needed to better understand the long-term impact of sleep loss on the physical and mental health of new mothers. However, this study adds to the mounting evidence of the importance of sleep, not just in new mothers but for everyone.
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.
