United States – Experts have warned that lack of sleep can have a surprising impact on health, leading to a condition described as a “silent killer.”
Experts explain that failure to get enough sleep (less than seven hours of sleep per night) can increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which, if not treated immediately, can cause serious health complications. .
The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body, and its main function is to neutralize toxins generated in the body. It also plays an important role in immunity, digestion and storage of vitamins. However, the accumulation of fat in the liver can cause the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which changes the functioning of this organ.
The main cause of this disease is being overweight, along with metabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and obstructive sleep apnea, according to Ibrahim Hanouneh, a gastroenterologist at MNGI Digestive Health in Minnesota.
The disease is also known as the “silent killer” because it has no visible symptoms.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are known to be types of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Hanouna explained, in an interview with Fox News: “Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to fatty liver, but non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) refers to fatty liver that occurs in the case of metabolic syndrome and weight gain in the absence of heavy alcohol consumption.” Hence the name “non-alcoholic”.
Hanouna points out that the vast majority of individuals do not have any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. Some people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, and abdominal pain. In general, fatty liver disease does not cause significant symptoms until it is too late. The disease is also associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
According to several studies, insufficient sleep has been associated with weight gain, increased appetite, and poor blood sugar regulation.
Weight gain and insulin resistance resulting from poor sleep quality may increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
“Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for abnormal amounts of fat in the liver,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick, co-author of Renewable Health and a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic.
She noted that the risk is particularly high for postmenopausal women. According to one study, those with low sleep duration had higher insulin levels than the general population.
According to the study, short sleep duration led to a 20% increase in insulin levels among this group, compared to 15% in general.
Experts explain that the stress on the body caused by lack of sleep can cause harmful metabolic changes that may eventually lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Kirkpatrick said people with type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
According to her, one needs to get proper sleep to help manage weight, “This means going to bed and waking up at the same time during weekdays and weekends.”
Source: New York Post
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2024-04-21 22:14:08
