Dr Michael Mosley says light diet could ‘fix sleep problems’

TV doctor Michael Mosley has shared a diet swap he believes could solve people’s sleep problems.

The diet and health expert is well known for his wellness advice, and in a blog post earlier this year he said those struggling to sleep well could find “the answers” in their diets.

He believes there is a link between the practice of intermittent fasting and better sleep, Gloucestershire Live reported. Intermittent fasting is when you only eat food during a certain window of the day.

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Dr. Mosley said that “changing the way you eat could fix your sleep pattern.” He added that up to 71% of adults don’t get enough sleep.

He also said that good sleep comes down to three things: how much you get, the quality of uninterrupted sleep, and a consistent schedule.

In his blog post, Dr. Mosley said that if you “optimize all three, you’re onto a winner.” The benefits of good sleep include improved concentration, attention and decision-making skills; processed memories and reduced risk of dementia; supports the immune system and the heart, reducing the risk of heart disease; it restored insulin sensitivity and reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes and lowered the hunger hormone ghrelin, reducing the risk of obesity by 41 percent, he added.

Dr. Mosley wrote, “To start improving your sleep and reaping those essential health benefits, you may want to learn about the incredible connection between intermittent fasting and sleep. Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve all three pillars of good sleep, and the good news is that research suggests it won’t take long to see changes.

“A 2003 study measured participants’ sleep using polysomnography before and after just seven days of fasting. The results indicated that short-term fasting can improve sleep quality by reducing restlessness, nighttime awakenings, and leg movement during sleep. This was extra. to daytime improvements in concentration and emotional balance.

“Similarly, a 2019 study by the Salk Institute found that a 10-hour meal window for overweight participants saw reductions in blood sugar, blood pressure, waist size, as well as longer and less sleep interrupted. In general, overeating during the day and too close to bedtime has been shown to compromise healthy sleep.

“This can lead to a vicious cycle of poor sleep leading to poor diet choices and so on. However, sleeping on a relatively empty stomach (which is what happens when you extend your fasting window) allows the digestive system to align with the brain. and both pause to sleep, helping to improve decision-making and reduce the hunger hormone ghrelin. Additionally, intermittent fasting has been shown to increase levels of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone that helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. .”

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