Scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have added to list of why sleep is so important; and their significant research may encourage us all to get the quality rest we need each night.
Lead study author Dr. Carol Everson and her team found that chronic sleep loss causes cell damage, especially in the lungs, small intestine and liver, with recovery sleep having the ability to heal the damages. Results were obtained by using rats that were sleep deprived for 10 days, then allowed 2 days of undisturbed, recovery sleep. The scientists compared control values for damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, along with cell death and proliferation.
Their findings are further confirming previous research that points to sleep abnormalities as the huge risk factors for serious diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
“The study culminates years of work and provides physical evidence that sleep deprivation injures cells and that sleep recovery restores the balance between, among other parameters, DNA damage and repair,” Dr. Everson said. “This is important because specific physical underpinnings that pose disease risk from sleep deficiency have been elusive and are now becoming identified.”
Sleeping in on the weekends just makes for a rough work week, especially those dreaded Mondays. Staying consistent with 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep literally means never having to say I’m sorry when it comes your health, relationships, career and happiness.
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