Human Growth Hormone isn’t the only hormone that’s balanced while we sleep. Four others that impact fat storage and appetite are also regulated by sleep. They are: Leptin, Ghrelin, Insulin, and Cortisol. Here’s an overview of each and its role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
Leptin and Ghrelin work together to control your appetite – Leptin’s job is to signal the body that you are full while Ghrelin signals your body to eat more. When you are sleep deprived, your body makes more Ghrelin and less Leptin, which can lead to overeating – especially sugary foods.
When it comes to Insulin, a lack of sleep can decrease your ability to use the hormone effectively. This causes elevated blood sugar levels – and again – an increase in appetite, which can spell disaster when mixed with the sugary foods Ghrelin is telling you to eat. All of this leads to increased storage of body fat, and in severe cases, Type 2 Diabetes.
Lastly, our stress hormone Cortisol can wreak havoc when not regulated by proper sleep, leading to difficulty managing stress and emotions, poor sleep (a vicious cycle!), and – very importantly – cause the body to store more fat regardless of how well you’re eating.