Health · Medical Research · 2 days ago
More REM Sleep Linked to Lower Risk of 83 Diseases
Researchers analyzed one week of sleep-tracker data from more than 95,000 UK Biobank participants and compared it with their health data about nine years later.
People who spent more time in REM sleep, the stage associated with dreaming, had lower risks of 83 diseases and health conditions.
The study found links to lower risks of heart failure, dementia and Parkinson’s disease, among other conditions.
It showed an association, not that more REM sleep directly prevents disease, and researchers did not establish why the link exists.
Specialists say REM sleep supports memory, emotional regulation and brain function, and may also help with inflammation and heart and metabolic health.
REM periods tend to get longer later in the night, so getting enough sleep gives the body more opportunity to complete them.
The researchers said six to eight hours of sleep was associated with a more favorable sleep pattern and lower disease risk; a specialist recommended consistently getting seven to nine hours.
A study published in PLOS found that more REM sleep was associated with a lower risk of developing 83 diseases and health conditions.
Researchers analyzed one week of sleep-tracker data from more than 95,000 UK Biobank participants and compared it with health data collected about nine years later.
The article reports lower risks among people who got more REM sleep, including 26% for heart failure, 46% for dementia and 80% for Parkinson’s disease.
The study found an association but did not establish why more REM sleep might relate to lower disease risk.
Neurologists interviewed for the article said adequate sleep, a consistent schedule, exercise, stress management, limiting alcohol and treating sleep disorders can help support healthy sleep.
- Who
- Researchers studying more than 95,000 UK Biobank participants
- What
- A study linked more REM sleep with lower risks of 83 diseases and health conditions
- When
- Sleep data were collected for one week, with health data assessed about nine years later
- Where
- UK Biobank; participants' locations are not stated
- Why
- The researchers investigated links between sleep stages and later health; the reason for the association is not established
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- Participants
- More than 95,000 UK Biobank participants
- Sleep data
- One week's worth of sleep-tracker data
- Health follow-up
- Health data assessed about nine years later
- Conditions linked to more REM sleep
- 83 diseases and health conditions
- Reported lower risks
- Heart failure: 26%; dementia: 46%; Parkinson's disease: 80%
What people are saying
The findings underscore that maintaining six to eight hours of sleep is associated with a more favorable sleep architecture and lower disease risk, offering insights for prevention and health promotion
REM periods become progressively longer as the night goes on, so consistently sleeping seven to nine hours gives your brain the opportunity to complete multiple REM cycles
Sources
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