Chronic Sleep Loss , May Cause Cellular-Level Changes , and Impact Immune System.
A new study suggests that regularly getting too little sleep
may harm immune stem cells and potentially increase
the risk of inflammatory disorders and heart disease.
NBC reports that the findings were
published on September 21 in the
'Journal of Experimental Medicine.' .
Researchers analyzed the blood of 14 volunteers
who agreed to shorten their sleep times by
90 minutes every night for six weeks.
Analysis revealed long-term changes in the way
stem cells behaved, including an increase
in white blood cells that cause inflammation.
The key message from this study
is that sleep lessens inflammation
and loss of sleep increases inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular
Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.
In subjects who had undergone sleep
restriction, the number of immune cells
circulating in the blood was higher. These
cells are key players in inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular
Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.
Researchers at Mount Sinai suggest
the changes observed in the study reflect
the natural process of human aging.
As a natural consequence of aging,
we lose diversity. By interrupting sleep,
we are speeding up the process of aging, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular
Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.
Less diversity among immune cells limits the immune
system's ability to function. While this process happens
naturally, losing sleep appears to accelerate aging.
The team's findings suggest that
damage to stem cells can be worsened
with repeated bouts of restricted sleep. .
The team's findings suggest that
damage to stem cells can be worsened
with repeated bouts of restricted sleep.