Researchers finding adequate sleep is as crucial to a healthy life as diet and exercise

According to a piece in the LA Times, the Institute of Medicine issued a report in April confirming links between sleep deprivation and an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, stroke, and possibly immune function.

In an Archives of Internal Medicine editorial published in September, the authors called for assessment of sleep habits as a standard part of all medical checkups.

According to most experts, people need about 8 hours of sleep to fully recover from 16 hours of being awake. 40% of Americans get fewer than seven hours of sleep on weekdays.

Bonnie - Sleep regulates leptin and ghrelin. Inadequate sleep also lowers levels of growth hormone and increases risk greater adiposity (leptin and ghrelin are secreted in deepest stages of sleep). Translation...you need 8 hours of sleep!