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Weight Loss and Sleep

(NBC/WRCB) - Researchers already know what sleep deprivation can do. Sleep too little, and you'll feel washed out and tired the next day. But does the actual mechanism of sleep, when you get enough, help you lose weight?

Ann Jeppson was treated for a condition called sleep apnea. A breathing device now converts her sleepless nights into eight hours of full sleep. Though weight loss was never the intent, it was a pleasant side effect.

"I've lost seven pounds and I've only been on it a week," said Jeppson. "I don't feel like I need to snack. You know, when you're tired or you don't feel well, I think one of the comfort foods is snacking."

Enter Glamour Magazine with its own independent study.

Six women from 25 to 35 years of age made no changes in their diet or exercise, but got seven and a half to eight hours sleep per night for ten weeks.

They lost anywhere from six to 15 pounds.

Dr. Paul Teman says there's no scientific proof that  sleep by itself peels off the pounds. Some studies show if you don't get enough, you might gain weight.

"Sleep deprivation affects those hormones causing an increase in grelin, so the gas is on and then the leptin is low," said Teman. "That's the brake, and the brake is off, so you eat more."

Then again, maybe the extra sleep just makes your body feel better. You're more alert. You have an incentive to get out and walk and run.

Sleeping more, while eating what you want and avoiding exercise will not bring the weight down.

According to researchers, those who shorten their shut eye to five hours or less per night are 30 percent more likely to gain 30 or more pounds.

Researchers agree more study is needed to see exactly where sleep fits in to weight loss.