Sleep & Immune Health

Scientists were interested in the link between sleep and immune system health.  Immune cells fight infection, but if there are too many of them, they overreact and cause inflammation.

Researchers monitored 14 healthy adults, ensuring they slept 8 hours per night for 6 weeks.  They then analyzed immune cells in their blood.  The participants then reduced their sleep by 90 minutes per night for 6 weeks, sleeping only 6.5 hours per night.  Their immune cells were then reanalyzed, and the two batches of immune cells were compared.

After the 6 weeks of sleep restriction, all participants had an increased number of immune cells. 

Researchers also analyzed sleep in mice, disrupting their sleep every night for 16 weeks.  They were then allowed 10 weeks of recovery with uninterrupted sleep.  The results in the immune cells of the mice mirrored the immune cells in the human participants.  The mice had an increased number of immune cells following the sleep disruption period.  Scientists found that the 10 weeks of recovery did not fully reverse the immune cell increase.  The mice continued to produce additional immune cells, making them more susceptible to inflammation and disease. 

Insufficient sleep has a profound impact on the rate of production of immune cells, reducing their protective effects and likely worsening inflammation and infections.  And recovery of normal immune cell production is a long-term process.

Takeaway: Sleep disruption increases inflammation.  Strive for 7 to 8 hours of sleep consistently to reduce risk of inflammation and disease.

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix

Source

Neuroscience News, A Consistent Lack of Sleep Negatively Impacts Immune Stem Cells, Increasing Risk of Inflammatory Disorders and Heart Disease, Sept 21, 2022, A Consistent Lack of Sleep Negatively Impacts Immune Stem Cells, Increasing Risk of Inflammatory Disorders and Heart Disease - Neuroscience News