Think More Protein, Fewer Carbs to Maintain Weight Loss

We're so obsessed about what we eat that we virtually ignore an important aspect to weight, appetite, and health: Sleep. Not only do we lack enough hours of sleep in general, but in most cases, our sleep efficiency is severely lacking.

Poor sleep efficiency, whether due to quantity or quality, causes hormonal, metabolic, and neurologic changes that all promote weight gain. This includes a tendency to store more fat, increased appetite for sugary or fatty foods, and thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate the need for quick energy fixes.

One thing that everyone naturally assumes is that we're all able to breathe properly at night while sleeping, but this is not true. All modern humans stop breathing occasionally, to various degrees. A major part of this is due to our smaller jaws and dental crowding, which crowds our breathing passageways. The end extreme of this continuum is called obstructive sleep apnea. But you can be thin, not snore, sleep 8 hours, not have any apneas, and still have major sleep-breathing issues.

If you're a natural side or stomach sleeper, you're more likely to have this condition. If your parents snore or have any cardiovascular problems, even more likely.

Yes, dieting and exercise health habits can get you to to a certain weight level, but without good breathing while sleeping, it'll be much harder to maintain your level of weight loss. Once you start to sleep better, you'll also begin to prefer healthier foods.

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Steven Park, MD of NY 7:04AM November 26, 2010