It looks like the catch-up sleep on weekends could be doctor recommended after all. A recent study showed that two nights of sleep recovery diminishes the consequences of sleep deprivation. Those consequences are linked to diabetes.
About 20 healthy young men participants and their reduce sleep habits were analyzed by the researchers. After having only 4.5 hours in bed for four consecutive nights, the participants were allowed to sleep two consecutive nights of 12 hours the first night and 10 hours the second.
The experiment showed insulin sensitivity was reduced by 23 % in sleep deprivation, but quickly recovered half the levels after the two night sleep, according to Josiane Broussard, PhD, at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The enigma was how much time does the body takes to recover from the insomnia consequences; the study demonstrated that about two consecutive night of good sleep.
The Acute insulin response was the same in either sleep situation, but the disposition index –a measure of insulin sensitivity multiplied by acute insulin response to glucose- was reduced by 16 % after the sleep restrictions, compared to normal sleep situations (8 hours).
“The metabolic response to this extra sleep was very interesting and encouraging,” said co-author, Esra Tasali, MD, of the University of Chicago, in a press release. “It shows that young, healthy people who sporadically fail to get sufficient sleep during the work week can reduce their diabetes risk if they catch up on sleep during the weekend.”
The men analyzed were constantly subject to blood tests. They also received standardized meals for 24 hours before, when they were restricted from sleep and after for efficient test results. It was also considered the amount of sleep they were used to, and on average was 7.8 hours.
Even though these results were taken for a short time and in a laboratory environment, they had positive results that could lead to further studies.
Source: MedPage Today