Sleeping less than seven hours a night increases biological age by three to seven years.
- Mothers who slept less than seven hours have shorter telomeres in their white blood cells that are associated with a higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular and other diseases, and earlier deaths.
- With each additional hour of sleep, the biological age of the mother was younger.
When new mothers complain that all those sleepless nights caring for their newborns take years off their lives, they might just be right. This is suggested by a study conducted by researchers from the American University UCLA published on April 24 in the journal Sleep Health.
Visible effects with less than seven hours of sleep per night
One year after giving birth, the “biological age” of mothers who sleep less than seven hours a night for at least six months is three to seven years higher than those who sleep longer. Mothers who slept less than seven hours also had shorter telomeres in their white blood cells. These little bits of DNA at the ends of chromosomes act like protective caps, like the plastic spikes at the ends of shoelaces. Previous research has linked shortened telomeres to a higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular and other diseases, and earlier death.
“We found that with each additional hour of sleep, the biological age of the mother was youngersays Judith Carroll, professor of psychobiology and lead author of the study. The first few months of postpartum sleep deprivation could have a lasting effect on physical health. We know from a great deal of research that sleeping less than seven hours a night is unhealthy and increases the risk of age-related diseases..”
Take advantage of opportunities to sleep more
For this study, researchers studied 33 mothers during their pregnancy and the first year of their baby’s life. They analyzed their DNA from blood samples to determine their “biological age” in relation to their chronological age. The higher the biological or epigenetic age of an individual, the higher their risk of disease and death. While participants’ nighttime sleep ranged from five to nine hours, more than half had less than seven hours, six months and a year after giving birth, the researchers report.
Researchers suggest that young mothers take advantage of opportunities to get a little more sleep, such as taking naps during the day when their baby is sleeping, accepting offers of help from family and friends, and, if possible, asking their partner to sleep. help with the baby at night or early in the morning. “Taking care of your sleep needs will help you and your baby in the long run”, they wrote.
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