Therapies
Sleep nutrition
Nutrition and sleep are closely linked
Sleep and nutrition are closely linked by multiple factors. Insufficient sleep in terms of duration and/or quality is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes, as are inadequate diet and lack of physical exercise.
In close collaboration with the specialists of the Efficium Centre for Integrative Medicine, the Cenas Sleep Medicine Centre provides a 360° approach to the treatment of sleep disorders.
Overweight and sleep disorders
The risk of OSA increases with weight as excessive fat in the upper airways (neck, tongue and pharynx) leads to narrowing of the respiratory tract, which can become obstructed during sleep and thus cause a decrease or even an interruption in airflow.
Adopting good eating habits and losing weight are generally not sufficient to completely remedy sleep apnoea, but can absolutely help reduce it. In conjunction with weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is another viable option.
Weight reduction decreases the severity of OSA
Sleep apnoea treatment often helps lose weight. Indeed, as the treatment improves quality of sleep, hunger mechanisms are no longer disturbed. Furthermore, fatigue and daytime sleepiness gradually disappear, which can make it easier for the patient to sustain a healthier lifestyle with regular physical exercise, and therefore lead to weight loss.
In some cases, some people can do without a CPAP device after weight loss.
Weight reduction decreases the severity of OSA
Sleep apnoea treatment often helps lose weight. Indeed, as the treatment improves quality of sleep, hunger mechanisms are no longer disturbed. Furthermore, fatigue and daytime sleepiness gradually disappear, which can make it easier for the patient to sustain a healthier lifestyle with regular physical exercise, and therefore lead to weight loss.
In some cases, some people can do without a CPAP device after weight loss.
What are the mechanisms ?
From a physiological standpoint, lack of sleep tends to increase appetite and hunger. Two hormones are responsible for regulating the appetite : leptin and ghrelin.
- Leptin – produced by our fat cells – is often called the satiety hormone as it helps inhibit hunger and increases our energy expenditure. However, lack of sleep contributes to a significant decrease in the production of leptin.
- Conversely, ghrelin – which is synthesised by the stomach – stimulates the appetite and reduces physical expenditure. With lack of sleep, its production is increased, which leads to weight gain.
