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Sleep and Longevity

Scofa-sleep-long-1

 
Medically reviewed by
Dacelin St Martin, MD
Triple board-certified in Sleep Medicine,
Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics.

 
 

Ground-Breaking Studies | What the Studies Found | How Does Sleep Impact Longevity? | Four Ways Sleep can Improve Health


Overview

Virtually everyone desires to live a long and healthy life. This dream, however, eludes many. 

Fortunately, scientists may have discovered the secret to longevity aided by recent developments in technology and science.

The answer to everyone’s desired longevity might lie in our sleep habits. Experts have suggested that optimal sleep is crucial to a healthy life; however, new research proves this beyond doubt. 

This article will elaborate on a recent study that links sleep and longevity. It will also explain how sleep impacts our health and lifespan.

 

Ground-Breaking Studies

Scientists from the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, have linked regular sleep patterns and favorable lipid blood levels to longevity.[1] 

The ground-breaking study is published in the “Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.” The study aimed to evaluate and define older people’s sleeping habits and metabolic profiles and compare their profiles to those of young adults and seniors.[1] 

Thirty-eight males were chosen for the study after an interview with each prospective participant to assess their fitness and exclude medical conditions that could affect the research outcome. Only male participants were selected for the study because estrogen’s peculiar effect on sleep could impact the study’s outcome.[1]

The participants were split into three (3) groups based on their age. The age groups include:

  • Older Adults: 10 individuals aged 85-105 years
  • Old Adults: 13 individuals aged 60-70 years
  • Young Adults: 15 individuals aged 20-30 years

The volunteers spent a night at the sleep laboratory, where they were given information regarding the study protocol and had their data collected using a standardized questionnaire.[1] They also had blood tests and underwent full-night polysomnography (PSG). 

After 23 weeks, the participants who belonged to the young and old adult groups underwent another full-night polysomnography. The participants who belonged to the older adult group were excluded from having another full-night polysomnography. 

All three groups subsequently underwent actigraphy and maintained a one-week sleep journal. 

 

What the Studies Found

The data obtained from the older adult group was then compared to those of the old and young adult groups. The findings of the study were astonishing. It uncovered some new information regarding specific sleep patterns and the preservation of slow-wave sleep in the older adult group.[1] 

In addition, the older adults kept their sleep and waking cycles regular.[1] Also, the blood levels of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the older adult group were significantly lower than in the old adult group.[1]

These findings indicate that optimal sleep and lipid metabolism are critical factors in preserving human longevity. The study’s findings are corroborated by another astounding research conducted by geriatric medicine experts.[2] 

The researchers looked at how sleeping patterns relate to health in families with an exceptional long-life expectancy.[2] The study’s results suggested that centenarians protected from age-related diseases likely have healthier sleep patterns than others.[2]

In another study, Japanese scientists analyzed the sleeping patterns and lifestyles of the elderly residents of Ogimi, a community known for its longevity.[3] They found seniors in good shape in the community had excellent sleep practices and exercise.[3]

 

SCOFA SLeep and Longevity 2

 

How Does Sleep Impact Longevity?

Experts have put forward several explanations on how sleep impacts health and longevity.


Four Ways Sleep can Improve Health

1) Sleep Boosts Immunity and Cell Repair

Studies have shown that adequate and quality sleep strengthens the body’s immune system, which is crucial to preventing infections and repairing damaged tissues and cells.[4][5] 

In addition, the body releases chemicals and hormones that contribute to a youthful appearance, increased vitality, and increased strength when one sleeps.[6]  Also, studies have shown that a single night of disrupted sleep can hasten the aging process of individual cells in the body.[6]

2) Sleep Promotes Cardiovascular Health

Heart diseases are among the most common ailments globally, especially among older people.[7] Several studies have associated sleep deprivation with debilitating and chronic illnesses like sleep apnea, hypertension, and heart attack.[8][9] Poor sleep can initiate these diseases, worsening their symptoms and reducing the effectiveness of treatment.[8]

3) Sleep is Vital for Healthy Metabolism

Sleep helps maintain the body’s metabolic processes. Illnesses associated with dysfunctional metabolisms like diabetes, obesity, and high blood cholesterol are linked to sub-optimal sleep.[8] 

According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), sleeping for less than 7 hours a day increases the likelihood of developing insulin resistance, which is a crucial component of type 2 diabetes.[10] Getting the right amount of sleep is a crucial part of treatment for people who live with diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This factor is vital because optimal sleep has been shown to increase the quality of life and reduce mortality in people living with metabolic conditions.[10]

4) Sleep Preserves Neurologic and Cognitive Processes

It typically becomes more difficult to remember and retain information when one gets older. Experts have suggested that getting enough sleep every night is one of the most critical things you can do to keep your mind as sharp as possible.[11]

Furthermore, studies have shown that memory and learning are improved by getting enough sleep.[11] Therefore, the ability of the brain to create and store memories, along with other cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and attention to detail, might be negatively impacted when one doesn’t get enough uninterrupted sleep.[11]

Additionally, sleep preserves the physical integrity of the brain.[12] During sleep, the brain eliminates accumulated toxins, including harmful proteins associated with chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s.[12][13]

 

Bottom Line

In summary, you can live a long and healthy life if you adopt a healthy sleep habit and lifestyle.

 

References:

  1. Mazzotti, D. R., Guindalini, C., Moraes, W. A. D. S., Andersen, M. L., Cendoroglo, M. S., Ramos, L. R., & Tufik, S. (2014). Human longevity is associated with regular sleep patterns, maintenance of slow wave sleep, and favorable lipid profile. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 134. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00134Klein, L., Gao, T., Barzilai, N., & Milman, S. (2017). Association between sleep patterns and health in families with exceptional longevity. Frontiers in Medicine, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2017.00214
  2. Taira, K., Tanaka, H., Arakawa, M., Nagahama, N., Uza, M., & Shirakawa, S. (2002). Sleep health and lifestyle of elderly people in Ogimi, a village of longevity. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 56(3), 243–244. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.2002.01014.x
  3. Opp, M. R., & Krueger, J. M. (2015). Sleep and immunity: A growing field with clinical impact. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 47, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2015.03.011
  4. Hindawi. (n.d.-b). The Bidirectional Relationship between sleep and immunity against infections. Hindawi.com. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/2015/678164/
  5. Ancoli-Israel, S., & Alessi, C. (2005). Sleep and aging. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: Official Journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(5), 341–343. https://doi.org/10.1097/00019442-200505000-00001
  6. Cardiovascular diseases. (n.d.). Who.int. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases
  7. Itani, O., Jike, M., Watanabe, N., & Kaneita, Y. (2017). Short sleep duration and health outcomes: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Sleep Medicine, 32, 246–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08.00
  8. Hein, H. (2004). Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen und schlafbezogene obstruktive Atmungsstörungen. Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany), 58(7), 505–509. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-818532
  9. CDC. (2022, July 28). Sleep for a good cause. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-sleep.html
  10. Graves, L., Pack, A., & Abel, T. (2001). Sleep and memory: a molecular perspective. Trends in Neurosciences, 24(4), 237–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01744-6
  11. Komaroff, A. L. (2021). Does sleep flush wastes from the brain? JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 325(21), 2153–2155. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.5631
  12. Peter-Derex, L., Yammine, P., Bastuji, H., & Croisile, B. (2015). Sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 19, 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.03.007
  13. Peter-Derex, L., Yammine, P., Bastuji, H., & Croisile, B. (2015). Sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 19, 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.03.007