Better Bedtime
Eating a healthy diet, exercising and, now, getting the right amount of sleep could be the keys to a healthy heart, according to a new study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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The findings suggest that individuals who sleep less than six hours may be at increased risk of atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries. The study recommends adults get seven to eight hours of high-quality sleep, finding that those who slept longer – along with those who slept poorly – may also increase their risk for the disease. Sleep quality is defined as the duration of time asleep and the frequency of movement while asleep. Good sleep quality is described as sleeping through the night with minimal waking.
The Risks
Delayed reactions, trouble remembering and an inability to focus can all be symptoms of high levels of adenosine, which builds up in the brain after too little sleep. Unwanted pounds could also be a side effect of insufficient rest as leptin, the hormone that suppresses hunger, decreases without sufficient sleep, and levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, increase.
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The Benefits
Waking up bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and eye bag– free are only some of the pluses of a good night’s sleep. Toxins and excess proteins are flushed out of the brain during the sleep cycle, including beta-amyloids, which are typically seen in high quantities in the brains of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
How Does Your City Measure Up?
The cities with the worst sleep rates? Washington DC, Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco and Charlotte. The cities sleeping soundly are El Paso, Memphis, Jacksonville, San Diego and New York, according to a new study done by the app Calm.
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