Lack of Sleep May Fuel Insulin Resistance

Not getting enough sleep may change the way cells handle insulin, increasing people’s risk of diabetes, a new study finds. Other research has linked a lack of sleep to a higher risk of obesity and diabetes. The new study looked at the effects of sleep on cells. It included 7 healthy young adults of normal weight. They were randomly assigned to sleep either 8.5 hours or 4.5 hours in a sleep lab for 4 nights in a row. Then everyone did the opposite sleep regime for another 4 nights. This took place 4 weeks later. After each 4-day cycle, researchers took samples of belly fat cells. After the sleep-deprived period, fat cells were 30% less able to respond to insulin. This is the hormone that helps move sugar (glucose) from the blood to other body cells. When cells “resist” insulin, the pancreas has to make more of it.