The Natural Sleep Aid Blog

In today’s society we are constantly pushed and pulled in every direction in order to accomplish all the demands of the day. One of the biggest sacrifices we make is lack of sleep in order to get ahead. You may think that skimping on your zzz’s is ok but it can actually affect your health in a negative manner by increasing your waistline and your weight. Studies show that there are key hormones the body releases during sleep that can be beneficial or damaging depending on how many hours of rest you get.

One of the most important hormones released between the hours of 12-2AM is Human Growth Hormone otherwise known as HGH. HGH is what we call the beauty hormone because it slows the aging process, rejuvenates the body, increases fat burning, reduces stress, and gives the body an overall sense of well being. If you are not sleeping during these hours you could be missing out on all the benefits HGH has to offer.

Ghrelin is a hormone that increases hunger and is secreted by the stomach. Lack of sleep increases this hormone and increases your blood sugar levels which trigger the need to eat. Studies show that individuals that receive 5 hours of sleep or less each night increase this hormone by as much as 15% than those that sleep an average of 8 hours. An increased amount of Ghrelin will ultimately lead to an increase in weight.

Leptin is a hormone that decreases appetite and hunger when you get proper sleep. Getting 8 hours of sleep each night helps to increase the amount of Leptin the body produces which reduces weight gain.

Whatever the demands may be, work, school, family, stress, or perhaps the love of television, get in the habit of tucking yourself in at a reasonable hour and feel the difference sleep can have on your waistline.