Sleep loss: Doctor explains how poor sleep can trigger weight gain in surprising ways. Many people struggle with unexplained weight gain despite following a calorie deficit and exercise routine, and sleep deprivation could be the hidden cause.
Dr Gagandeep Singh, founder of Redial Clinic, treats short sleep as a metabolic problem rather than a lifestyle issue. Sleep loss raises cortisol, the stress hormone, which prompts the body to store fat, especially around the abdomen. It also disrupts appetite hormones, increasing ghrelin that signals hunger while decreasing leptin that signals fullness. This leads to cravings for unhealthy foods like biscuits, sugary chai, and leftovers. Sleep loss also impairs insulin sensitivity, forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin, which promotes weight gain, fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, chronic sleep loss affects reproductive hormones, causing irregular cycles in women and low testosterone in men, and reduces muscle mass by preventing deep sleep from preserving muscles.
The doctor warns that you cannot out-diet or out-train poor sleep. Sleep loss is a clinical intervention, not optional self-care. It affects every major system, making it essential for overall health.
In conclusion, prioritizing sleep is crucial. Sleep loss is not just about feeling tired but about biochemical changes that sabotage weight management and overall wellness. Fixing sleep can be as important as diet and exercise for achieving health goals.