Scientists have discovered a definite link between the body’s immune system response and deep sleep. American Health reports that tiny proteins known as muramyl peptides associated with deep dream-free sleep “trigger the production of interleukin 1, a key component of the body’s defensive system.” Researcher Dr. James M. Krueger believes that “sleep may play a role in the recuperative process, whether it’s recovery from a day’s activity or a disease.”
Lack of sleep also contributes to obesity. Our brain interprets lack of sleep as a lack of food. During sleep, our organism secretes leptin, the hormone that normally lets our body know we ate enough. When we are awake longer than we should be, less leptin is produced and we feel a craving for more carbohydrates. Sleep deprivation, then, leads to higher intake of carbohydrates, resulting in weight-gain.
It cannot be overstated that sleep contributes to longer lifespan and slows aging. It makes it easier for our body to metablize free radicals – molecules that affect the aging of our cells and even cause cancer. Additionally, sleep deprivation makes a person more prone to infections and circulatory diseases.