We all know how great a good night's rest feels. You wake up feeling refreshed, energized and ready to tackle your day. Unfortunately, this rested feeling is the exception and not the norm for many who live busy lives in the modern world, and it's hurting more than our energy levels—it's also harming our hearts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-quarter of the U.S. population report occasionally not getting enough sleep, while nearly 10% experience chronic insomnia. Although it may feel like it, sleep isn't a passive activity, or a luxury for that matter. It's a must for your overall health and well-being and according numerous studies, it's essential for a healthy heart. According to the CDC and numerous studies, not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Together, these four health conditions prove a powerful case that sleep isn't just beneficial, it's vital. Diabetes You may think that type 2 diabetes is just about keeping your weight down and eating healthy foods, but research has found that sleep also plays an important role. According to a September 2010 study published in the Annals of Epidemiology journal, people who slept less than six hours a night were three times more likely to develop incident-impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG), a condition where your body isn't able to regulate glucose as efficiently as it should. How does this related to heart health? People with IFG have a greater risk of developing type 2diabetes and are at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Chronic Stress Stress is another important factor when it comes to having a healthy heart. Other studies have shown that a lack of sleep can decrease glucose tolerance and increase the body's production of cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress (plus we all know how hard it is to make healthy choices and lose weight when you're stressed!). Additionally, researchers have found that lack of sleep results in a 28% increase in average levels of ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, leading to increased cravings and consumption of foods, making it even harder to prevent or control type 2 diabetes and therefore heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular Disease There are numerous studies linking insufficient sleep with a number of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmias). The most recent shows the negative effects of burning the candle at both ends. Published in the February 2011European Heart Journal, researchers found that sleeping less than six hours a night due to disturbed sleep gives you a 48% greater chance of developing or dying from heart disease and a 15% greater chance of experiencing or dying from a stroke. An earlier study from December 2008 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that. Compared with people who sleep seven to nine hours a night, people who don’t get enough shuteye are more likely to develop calcium deposits in their coronary arteries, raising their risk for heart disease. In fact, even after accounting for various other causes, researchers found that when sleep-deprived subjects get just one more hour of sleep per night, they had a 33% decrease in their odds of developing calcium deposits in their arteries. Although they're not certain why sleep helps keep arteries healthy, researchers hypothesize it helps combat stress, and the fact that when you sleep your blood pressure naturally lowers. The disrupting sleep condition sleep apnea has a particularly strong connection with heart disease, but it's a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg scenario. A January 2007 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter reported that poor sleep can contribute to heart disease, and heart disease can in turn disturb sleep. Poor sleep increases levels of C-reactive protein and other substances that signal active inflammation in the body. It also revs up the body’s sympathetic nervous system, which can strain the heart. On the slip side, sometimes heart disease is a cause of poor sleep, as many people with heart failure may wake up from due to breathing difficulties. Obesity Being overweight or obese puts strains on the body, especially the heart. According to the CDC, research has found an association between short sleep duration and excess body weight in all demographics, including children. It is believed that sleep in childhood and adolescence is particularly important for brain development and that insufficient sleep in young people may adversely affect the hypothalamus in the brain, which regulates appetite. As mentioned earlier, ghrelin and cortisol are also negatively affected when you don't get enough ZZZs. This can cause an increase in appetite, which can lead to overeating and overweight—a major risk factor for heart disease. Depression Although the relationship between sleep and depression is complex and not fully understood, sleep disturbance and depression have long been recognized as related factors. According to the CDC, recent research has shown that depressive symptoms may decrease once sleep apnea has been effectively treated and sufficient sleep restored. This close relationship—and depression's negative effects on the heart—makes sleep an important factor in heart health. Sleeping Better for a Healthier Ticker So now that you know how important sleep is to heart health, what can you do about it? Follow these tips to get the most from your ZZZs!
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This hearty breakfast recipe is a satisfying start to a day of healthy eating.
TIME: 18 minutes
SERVINGS: 4
1 c water
2 1/2 c fat-free milk, divided
1 1/4 c old-fashioned rolled oats Pinch of salt (optional)
1 large pear or med Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into 1/4" pieces (about 1 1/2 c)
1/2 c dried sweetened cranberries
1/4 c dark or golden raisins
1/2 c chopped walnuts (MUFA)
2 tsp brown sugar
2. Stir in pear. Cover and simmer about 3 minutes more or until it is tender but still a bit crisp. Stir in cranberries and raisins. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 minute to soften.1. Bring water and 1 1/2 c of the milk to a boil in large, heavy saucepan over high heat. Stir in oats and salt (if using). Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes, stirring often, until oats start to soften.
3. Divide evenly among 4 warm bowls. Sprinkle each with 2 Tbsp of the walnuts and 1/2 tsp of the sugar. Top each bowl with 1/4 c of the remaining milk.
Nutrition Info Per Serving: 353 cal, 11 g pro, 57 g carb, 12 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 3 mg chol, 70 mg sodium, 6 g fiber
Low-Fat Frittata with Smoked Salmon and Scallions
Try this quick, healthy meal for brunch or lunch
TIME: 25 minutes
SERVINGS: 6
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
6 scallions (whites and 2" of green), trimmed and chopped
6 large egg whites
4 large eggs
1/4 c cold water
1/2 tsp dried tarragon or finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tsp salt
2 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon, cut into 1/2"-wide pieces
3/4 c black olive tapenade (MUFA)
2. Heat heavy 8" ovenproof sauté pan over medium heat 1 minute. Add oil and heat 20 seconds. Add scallions and sauté, stirring periodically with spatula, about 2 minutes or until soft.1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Combine egg whites, eggs, water, tarragon, and salt in medium bowl. Whisk to blend. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Pour mixture into pan and lay salmon on top. Cook, stirring periodically, about 2 minutes or until partially set.
4. Transfer pan to oven and cook 12 to 14 minutes or until firm, golden, and puffed. Remove from oven. Use spatula to release frittata from pan. Gently slide onto warm serving platter, slice, and serve with 2 tablespoons of the tapenade.
For a well-balanced dish, thaw 1/2 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries (45 calories) and combine with 1 cup of fat-free plain Greek-style yogurt (112 calories). Top with 1/4 cup of toasted whole oats (75 calories).
Nutritional Info Per Serving:186 cal, 10 g pro, 1 g carb, 0 g fiber, 15 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 143 mg chol, 535 mg sodium
Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
Natural peanut butter lends texture to this hearty breakfast!
SERVINGS: 1
½ cup fat-free milk
½ cup fat-free plain yogurt
2 Tbsp creamy natural unsalted peanut butter (MUFA)
¼ very ripe banana
1 Tbsp honey
4 ice cubes
Nutritional Info Per ServingCombine the milk, yogurt, peanut butter, banana, honey, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve.
410 calories, 19 g protein, 50 g carbohydrates, 16 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 289 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
THANK YOU PREVENTION.COM!! =)
Natural peanut butter lends texture to this hearty breakfast!
SERVINGS: 1
½ cup fat-free milk
½ cup fat-free plain yogurt
2 Tbsp creamy natural unsalted peanut butter (MUFA)
¼ very ripe banana
1 Tbsp honey
4 ice cubes
Nutritional Info Per ServingCombine the milk, yogurt, peanut butter, banana, honey, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve.
410 calories, 19 g protein, 50 g carbohydrates, 16 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 289 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
THANK YOU PREVENTION.COM!! =)