Health News Wednesday: Sleep to restore brain function

Skimp on sleep and your BRAIN may suffer, a new study confirms.

You already know how important it is to get your ZZZs. Well, here’s another study that shows how proper sleep can restore you.

The June 30, 2010 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, reports a study led by resarchers from Harvard Medical School and the Boston VA Healthcare System.

The investigators looked at rats and found that levels of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, what your cells use for energy) increase during non-REM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep.

Non-REM sleep occurs in the first 90 to 120 minutes of sleep–lasting through the “deep sleep” stage.

When the rats were made to stay awake 3 to 6 hours past their normal sleep times, ATP did not increase.

What this could mean for you?

Get to bed on time–especially when you have extra demands on your brain the next day. Such as a report you need to write…a presentation you have to give…a class or exam you need to take.

Here’s a link to the National Institute on Aging’s AgePage–A Good Night’s Sleep–with tips you can use to beat insomnia and be at your best!

Flickr photo, ~Kristin Taking Flight~