I've heard that lack of sleep can make you gain weight. Is that true?
Lack of sleep actually wears down your body, and this affects the body's insulin resistance and increases the chance for metabolic syndrome, which affects the metabolic processes in the body.
You tend to see metabolic syndrome in a person who carries fat around his belly.
Other studies suggest that lack of sleep creates an imbalance of hormones in our body.
Two hormones, leptin and ghrelin, help control the appetite, as well as weight gain and loss. Leptin tells your brain to stop eating, while ghrelin tells it to keep eating.
What the studies have found is that people who aren't getting enough sleep have lower leptin levels and higher ghrelin levels. These unbalanced hormones can cause increased appetite.
Thus, those with little sleep tend to consume more calories and gain weight.
If you suffer from sleep difficulties and are over 40, you should consider consulting an anti-ageing specialist to find a solution.