Sleep is needed by many people. Lack of sleep can have adverse effects. The immune system does not work well with less sleep, as found by a study.
People would feel sick if they lack sleep. Research made about it has found that those who have less sleep have a weaker immune system. Blood samples from 11 pairs of identical twins were taken to see how a lack of sleep could affect the immune system. The identical twins had different sleep patterns, so researchers could see how even people that share the same DNA could be affected by a lack of sleep.
Study lead author and co-director of the University of Washington Medicine Sleep Center at Harborview Medical Center Dr. Nathaniel Watson has said that the immune system works well if a person has enough sleep. The study has used identical twins in order to negate the role genetics play in sleep. As much as 31 to 55 percent of sleep duration is controlled by genetics.
Dr. Sina Gharib is the senior author of the study and the director of the University of Washington Medicine's Computational Medicine Core at the Center for Lung Biology. He has said that the study has shown that chronic short sleep could shut down programs that involve the immune system, according to the University of Washington Health Sciences Newsbeat.
Other studies done earlier has shown that people who lack sleep do not respond well if given a vaccine. They are also more prone to sickness even when given a vaccine due to a lower immune system, as Science Daily reports. Watson has said that the study has given proof on the importance of sleep with health and the immune system.
People in the United States are said to be having less sleep, averaging to about 1.5 to two hours of less sleep. This might have a detrimental effect on health. The study has found that the immune system does not work well with less sleep. A study confirms that losing weight reduces heart risks.
