I lost 0.6 pounds this week, for a cumulative total of 35.8 pounds. Follow my progress with this chart. While that is not a great deal of weight, I have been weighing around the same weight for about a week now, which means I am due for another whoosh experience, where I will drop three to four pounds over night. Except for the first two weeks, my monthly totals have been quite consistent, around eight pounds per month. Just about what I expect to lose long term.
More importantly, other indicators are also positive. I have notched up my belt another notch and I continue to have lots of energy. I am sleeping better, my blood pressure is down, my blood glucose levels are still falling, and I am not hungry while following a low carb diet. All thanks to the low carb lifestyle I have discovered.
Showing posts with label sleeping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleeping. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Low Carb Diets and Sleep Disorders
My wife has commented that I am sleeping much better since starting my low carb lifestyle. I sleep deeper and do not wake up as often during the night to use the bathroom. My insomnia has stopped and I am able to fall asleep easier. So I decided to dig into the research and see if there was any relationship between low carbing and sleeping. This is what I found.
Apparently, both sleep restriction and sleep apnea are associated with insulin resistance. Who knew? Read the linked article, but it is a function of bodily hormones such as cortisol and leptin. Especially for sleep apnea, there are many possible cures, including a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) mask and machine for sleeping, surgery, and other oral appliances. Or, you could try following a low carb diet. Sleep disorders have been associated with high blood pressure and, as mentioned above, insulin resistance. A low carb diet has a dramatic effect on lowering both blood pressure and insulin resistance (making you more insulin sensitive). Of course, if you are on high blood pressure medication and drugs/insulin for type I or II diabetes, you will have to work with a physician to get your medication adjusted if you follow a low carb diet.
A high carb diet leads to insulin resistance, and so do sleep disorders. Both of these conditions are common with people who are overweight. And a low carb diet can apparently solve both problems in many people. Listen to this podcast with Terry Brown, M.D., a specialist in treating sleep disorders with low carb diets for more information (it is about 45 minutes long).
Apparently, both sleep restriction and sleep apnea are associated with insulin resistance. Who knew? Read the linked article, but it is a function of bodily hormones such as cortisol and leptin. Especially for sleep apnea, there are many possible cures, including a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) mask and machine for sleeping, surgery, and other oral appliances. Or, you could try following a low carb diet. Sleep disorders have been associated with high blood pressure and, as mentioned above, insulin resistance. A low carb diet has a dramatic effect on lowering both blood pressure and insulin resistance (making you more insulin sensitive). Of course, if you are on high blood pressure medication and drugs/insulin for type I or II diabetes, you will have to work with a physician to get your medication adjusted if you follow a low carb diet.
A high carb diet leads to insulin resistance, and so do sleep disorders. Both of these conditions are common with people who are overweight. And a low carb diet can apparently solve both problems in many people. Listen to this podcast with Terry Brown, M.D., a specialist in treating sleep disorders with low carb diets for more information (it is about 45 minutes long).
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