The 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey found that 18 per cent of people have average less than five hours of sleep a night. This lack of shut-eye makes them more susceptible to health problems.
Researchers looked at how lack of sleep may affect the immune system. Chronic sleeplessness may harm the immune system, since lack of sleep is linked to an increase in cytokine molecules that control immune response. Resulting inflammation and changes in blood chemistry may be behind a variety of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and neurological conditions.
"The foundations of good health are good nutrition, good exercise and good sleep, but two out of three doesn't get you there," said Dr. Anne Calhoun, a neurology professor at the University of North Carolina, posted on CBC news Dec 2, 2010.
How much sleep does a person need?
Individuals vary greatly in their need for sleep; there are no established criteria to determine exactly how much sleep a person needs. Eight hours or more may be necessary for some people, while others may consider this to be too much sleep. The American National Institutes of Health suggests that most average adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals may disrupt sleep. The following are specific nutritional supplements known to aid sleep:
- Essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth
- May assist in prevention of osteoporosis
- Assists in relief of minor PMS symptoms
- Helps in the production of red blood cells and in treating anemia
- Aids in tissue formation and helps prevent neural tube defects when taken prior to becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy
- Contributes to the development and maintenance of bones and teeth, the maintenance of proper muscle function and helps the body to metabolize proteins, fats and carbohydrates to enhance energy production, and support cardiovascular health
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