Chronic Sleep Loss , May Cause Cellular-Level Changes , and Impact Immune System.<br />A new study suggests that regularly getting too little sleep <br />may harm immune stem cells and potentially increase <br />the risk of inflammatory disorders and heart disease.<br />NBC reports that the findings were <br />published on September 21 in the <br />'Journal of Experimental Medicine.' .<br />Researchers analyzed the blood of 14 volunteers <br />who agreed to shorten their sleep times by <br />90 minutes every night for six weeks.<br />Analysis revealed long-term changes in the way <br />stem cells behaved, including an increase <br />in white blood cells that cause inflammation.<br />The key message from this study<br />is that sleep lessens inflammation <br />and loss of sleep increases inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular <br />Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.<br />In subjects who had undergone sleep <br />restriction, the number of immune cells <br />circulating in the blood was higher. These <br />cells are key players in inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular <br />Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.<br />Researchers at Mount Sinai suggest <br />the changes observed in the study reflect <br />the natural process of human aging.<br />As a natural consequence of aging, <br />we lose diversity. By interrupting sleep, <br />we are speeding up the process of aging, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular <br />Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.<br />Less diversity among immune cells limits the immune <br />system's ability to function. While this process happens <br />naturally, losing sleep appears to accelerate aging.<br />The team's findings suggest that <br />damage to stem cells can be worsened <br />with repeated bouts of restricted sleep. .<br />The team's findings suggest that <br />damage to stem cells can be worsened <br />with repeated bouts of restricted sleep.
