It began as a small, controlled experiment. Sixteen healthy young men, all with good sleep habits, were invited to sleep in a laboratory for six nights.
The first three nights, they were allowed to sleep 8.5 hours. The next three they only slept 4 hours and 15 minutes.
On the surface, nothing seemed dramatic. But when the scientists analyzed their blood samples, the results took a surprising turn.
After just three nights of restricted sleep, the participants’ bodies were already showing signs of something much more serious.
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Proteins hinted at disease risk
The researchers tested for 88 different proteins in the blood. Some of these proteins had increased significantly after the short sleep period – and not just any proteins.
They were the very markers that have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure.
Even more alarming: beneficial proteins normally boosted by physical exercise didn’t show the same improvement after the short-sleep nights.
In short, the body didn’t respond as well to exercise when it was sleep-deprived.
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Sleep can’t be replaced
Jonathan Cedernaes, medical doctor and researcher at Uppsala University, was among the lead authors of the study.
He explains that the changes seen after just a few nights of limited sleep suggest sleep is far more than just rest.
He emphasizes that even in young, healthy individuals, a few poor nights can trigger changes usually associated with disease risk.
It appears that lack of sleep not only weakens the immune system but also interferes with the body’s ability to gain from physical activity.
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His advice is clear: adults should aim for the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
You can’t "work out" your way out of sleep deprivation – and the body might start to pay the price far sooner than expected.
This article is based on information from Illustreret Videnskab.
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