Are sleep problems causing your weight gain?

Can’t Lose Weight? Sleep Problems May The Cause! 

During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. Also, another 33% of all adults are in the overweight category.

While there are many factors that contribute to weight, the following 4 factors play a crucial role in the expansion of our waist lines.

Hippocrates, father of medicine said "Let Food Be Your Medicine, Medicine Be Your Food" 

 As we moved away from this concept, and see food merely as "calories in, calories out", we run in to issues such as obesity. 

 Here are three things that happened to the modern diet that contribute to the high levels of inflammation that we currently see in the population at large leading to increased disease burden. Understanding these three fundamental principles forms the foundation for a healthy and long life with reduced inflammation level in the body.

First, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, that affects one in three Americans and leads to belly fat accumulation. Unlike the subcutaneous fat which is protective, studies have shown that belly fat produces cytokines and other inflammation causing chemicals leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions. In fact, waist circumference of over 40 inches in men and 36 inches in women(lower in Asian Populations), is one of the five criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Second, lack of polyphenols and other antioxidants in the diet. Before the modern food processing era, our diet used to have more than 50 percent unprocessed and uncooked food items such as colored fruits, vegetables, and other natural ingredients that are high in antioxidants such as polyphenols. Studies have shown that lack of polyphenols leads to increased inflammation in the body.

Third, the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids used to be 1:1 but is now at 1:16 which also increases inflammation.Fourth, lack of proper duration and quality of sleep that contributes to insulin resistance which in turn leads to weight gain. And, unfortunately, this can set in a vicious cycle where sleep problems lead to weight gain and weight gain in turn makes sleep problems worse! If you snore or feel tired or sleepy during the day, you might suffer from sleep apnea.

Reversing the many factors leading to weight gain such as insulin resistance, sleep apnea, lack of proper sleep, stress, nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, eating disorders, hormonal imbalances etc. under the supervision of a physician familiar with weight loss, sleep disorders and wellness forms the basis for health, prevention and well being.

W8MD weight loss, sleep and medspa locations

W8MD’s NYC Weight Loss, Sleep & Medspa
Manhattan, NY – 401 E 55th Street New York, NY 10022

Call 718-946-5500

W8MD’s NYC Medical Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa – Brooklyn, NY

2632 E 21st St., Suite L2, Brooklyn, NY, 11235

Call 718-946-5500

Poly-Tech Sleep, W8MD’s Philadelphia Weight loss & Aesthetics NE Philadelphia
1718 Welsh Road, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19115

Call 215-676-2334

Poly-Tech Sleep, W8MD Weight Loss & MedSpa – King of Prussia, PA

987 Old Eagle School Rd Suite 712, Wayne, PA 19087

Call 215-676-2334

 Coming soon – W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & Medical Spa Cherry Hill, NJ

140 E Evesham Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Call 800-986-3007