more snooze news

Earlier in the blog I wrote about sleep deprivation and weight gain, and I just found yet another great reason to get more sleep! Researchers from the University of Chicago have found that a lack of adequate sleep is linked to both insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. They found that the decline in glucose tolerance was slightly less in sleep-deprived men who also worked out.

How to avoid diabetes? First things first--get rid of the weight around your middle, as abdominal fat is linked to insulin resistance. Add light exercise to your daily routine; follow a Mediterranean diet rich in high-fiber foods, fish, veggies, fruits & whole grains; avoid artificial sweeteners, sweets and white bread to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels; add psyllium (for fiber) and/or a teaspoon of cinnamon to your daily diet, as cinnamon helps improve insulin sensitivity.