The Sleep Pattern In Healthy Adults Negatively Influenced By Fat Intake

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Conferences
Article Date: 11 Jun 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern in healthy adults, according to a research abstract presented on Tuesday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Cibele Crispim, of the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, focused on 52 healthy volunteers between 20-45 years of age, whose food intake was analyzed by a three-day food record. Their sleep pattern was evaluated by a polysomnographic recording.

"We showed that an increased fat intake was associated with a lower percentage of REM sleep, a higher arousal index and apnea-hypopnea index, and a lower sleep efficiency," said Crispim. "These results showed that total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern. However, researches in the nutrition and sleep area should be carried out to better understand these associations."

It is recommended that adults get between seven and eight hours of nightly sleep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers the following tips on how to get a good night's sleep:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
  
  
• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
  
  
• Get a full night's sleep every night.
  
  
• Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, as well as any medicine that has a stimulant, prior to bedtime.
  
  
• Do not bring your worries to bed with you.
  
  
• Do not go to bed hungry, but don't eat a big meal before bedtime either.
  
  
• Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
  
  
• Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.
  
  
• Get up at the same time every morning.

Those who suspect that they might be suffering a sleep disorder are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician or a sleep specialist.

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The annual SLEEP meeting (9-12 June, 2008) brings together an international body of 5,000 leading researchers and clinicians in the field of sleep medicine to present and discuss new findings and medical developments related to sleep and sleep disorders.

More than 1,000 research abstracts will be presented at the SLEEP meeting, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society. The three-and-a-half-day scientific meeting will bring to light new findings that enhance the understanding of the processes of sleep and aid the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

SleepEducation.com, a patient education Web site created by the AASM, provides information about various sleep disorders, the forms of treatment available, recent news on the topic of sleep, sleep studies that have been conducted and a listing of sleep facilities.

Source: Kathleen McCann
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

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