3 Nights Of Poor Sleep Might Harm Your Heart: Study
Dublin:
We've long known that a lack of sleep is bad for the heart - but scientists are now starting to understand exactly how it causes harm.
In a new study from Uppsala University in Sweden, researchers found that just three nights of restricted sleep - around four hours a night - triggered changes in the blood linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
The researchers looked at inflammatory proteins in the blood. These are molecules the body produces when it is under stress or fighting off illness. When these proteins stay high for a long time, they can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of problems like heart failure, coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
The study involved 16 healthy young men who spent several days in a lab, where everything from their meals to their activity levels and light exposure was carefully controlled.
The participants followed two routines: three nights of normal sleep (8.5 hours) and three night of sleep restriction (4.25 hours). After each sleep phase, the men completed a short, high-intensity cycling workout, and their blood was tested before and after.
Researchers measured almost 90 different proteins in the blood samples. They found that sleep deprivation caused a clear rise in inflammatory markers linked to heart disease. And while exercise usually boosts healthy proteins such as interleukin-6 and BDNF (which support brain and heart health), these responses were weaker after poor sleep.
Even young adults
Strikingly, That's worrying given how common it is for adults to experience poor sleep from time to time - and around one in four people work shifts that disrupt sleep patterns.
The researchers also discovered that the time of day blood was taken mattered: protein levels varied between morning and evening, and even more so when sleep was restricted. This suggests that sleep affects not only what's in your blood, but when those changes are most visible.
Although modern life often encourages us to trade sleep for productivity, socialising or screen time, studies like this remind us that the body keeps score - quietly, chemically and without compromise.
(Disclosure statement: Annie Curtis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.)
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The Hindu
18 hours ago
- The Hindu
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However, this study redefines disease detection by providing an objective, biochemical-based, and non-invasive diagnostic approach through saliva analysis. Researchers from the Department of Periodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, conducted the study, which involved a comprehensive evaluation of neuropsychiatric patients from various tertiary medical centres, ensuring a diverse and clinically relevant patient population. A structured psychiatric assessment was conducted using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to categorise patients based on their psychological well-being. This tool effectively screened for somatic symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression, allowing researchers to correlate mental health status with dental diseases through biological markers. Two biological markers, namely Vitamin D and BDNF, were quantified from saliva. Researches in the past have reported that vitamin D helps keep bones strong, supports the immune system, and protects brain health, while BDNF is important for nerve cell growth, brain function, and memory. The study revealed that these two markers are connected, and play a role in both mental health and oral health. The following key findings emerged: Correlation between psychological distress and salivary biomarkers: Patients with high GHQ-28 scores, indicating severe mental distress, had low levels of BDNF and Vitamin D in their saliva, reinforcing the hypothesis that systemic inflammation and neuronal health are intrinsically linked. Increased oral inflammation was seen with further depletion of salivary BDNF and Vitamin D, suggesting that dental diseases may aggravate mental illness. The study further confirmed that salivary BDNF and Vitamin D markers can serve as effective, non-invasive indicators for both periodontal and neuropsychiatric disease risk, allowing for early-stage intervention and prevention of both oral and neurological diseases. These findings reinforce the concept that oral and mental health are intricately connected, demanding an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to disease prevention and treatment. Towards a unified healthcare model This study paves the way for the future of healthcare, where dental, psychiatric, and systemic health professionals can collaborate to provide comprehensive, patient-centred treatment strategies. Some of these can include: Integration of salivary biomarkers into routine screening: Encouraging dental and psychiatric professionals to adopt salivary biomarker screening for dual disease detection. Personalised healthcare approaches: Merging biomarker-driven diagnostics with lifestyle-based interventions to improve treatment outcomes. Public health implications: Leveraging this study's findings to develop nationwide screening programs, particularly for high-risk populations such as individuals with chronic stress, metabolic disorders, and immunocompromised conditions. A holistic approach In addition to biomarker-based diagnostics, the study advocates a holistic approach to health, emphasising the role of lifestyle interventions in the prevention of dental and neurological diseases. Researchers have also worked on the effect of yoga practices and meditation on oral diseases and further highlighted the importance of yoga practices as powerful adjuncts in managing both mental and oral health. Yoga has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, enhance immune function, and regulate inflammatory pathways, which are crucial for both periodontal and mental health. It promotes better circulation, oxygenation, and tissue healing, which may aid in periodontal regeneration. Scientific evidence also suggests that meditation increases BDNF levels, improving cognitive function and emotional resilience. It plays a key role in stress modulation and reducing cortisol levels, which are implicated in periodontal tissue destruction and mental distress. Chronic stress and anxiety have been identified as major risk factors for both periodontal disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. Practicing yoga and meditation helps in balancing the autonomic nervous system, reducing pro-inflammatory responses, and improving oral hygiene behaviours. Based on these findings, future healthcare approaches should include early dental check-ups and preventive care, and must incorporate yoga and mindfulness practices, to improve both oral health and mental well-being. The path ahead This research represents a significant advancement in healthcare, changing the way oral and mental health are understood, diagnosed, and treated. By using saliva-based markers, personalised treatment approaches, and holistic wellness strategies, this study offers a new and innovative path toward better healthcare. As global research continues to unravel the systemic connections between oral and mental health, this pioneering study sets a new standard for future interdisciplinary investigations. The implementation of biomarker-driven diagnostics, coupled with evidence-based wellness practices, holds immense potential in creating a healthier, more resilient population. (Dr. Jaideep Mahendra is professor and head, department of periodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai. Email: jaideep_m_23@
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 days ago
- First Post
How 3 nights of poor sleep can harm your heart
A new study from Uppsala University in Sweden has found that just three nights of restricted sleep, about four hours per night, can trigger changes in the blood associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Notably, these changes were seen even in young, healthy adults after only a few nights of poor sleep read more Sleep affects not only what's in your blood, but when those changes are most visible. Pixabay/Representational Image We've long known that a lack of sleep is bad for the heart – but scientists are now starting to understand exactly how it causes harm. In a new study from Uppsala University in Sweden, researchers found that just three nights of restricted sleep – around four hours a night – triggered changes in the blood linked to a higher risk of heart disease. The researchers looked at inflammatory proteins in the blood. These are molecules the body produces when it is under stress or fighting off illness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When these proteins stay high for a long time, they can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of problems like heart failure, coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). The research: What happened? The study involved 16 healthy young men who spent several days in a lab, where everything from their meals to their activity levels and light exposure was carefully controlled. The participants followed two routines: three nights of normal sleep (8.5 hours) and three night of sleep restriction (4.25 hours). After each sleep phase, the men completed a short, high-intensity cycling workout, and their blood was tested before and after. The researchers looked at inflammatory proteins in the blood. Pixabay/Representational Image Researchers measured almost 90 different proteins in the blood samples. They found that sleep deprivation caused a clear rise in inflammatory markers linked to heart disease. And while exercise usually boosts healthy proteins such as interleukin-6 and BDNF (which support brain and heart health), these responses were weaker after poor sleep. What about young adults? Strikingly, the changes happened even in young, healthy adults, and after only a few nights of bad sleep. That's worrying given how common it is for adults to experience poor sleep from time to time – and around one in four people work shifts that disrupt sleep patterns. The researchers also discovered that the time of day blood was taken mattered: protein levels varied between morning and evening, and even more so when sleep was restricted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Changes happened even in young, healthy adults, and after only a few nights of bad sleep. Pixabay/Representational Image This suggests that sleep affects not only what's in your blood, but when those changes are most visible. Although modern life often encourages us to trade sleep for productivity, socialising or screen time, studies like this remind us that the body keeps score – quietly, chemically and without compromise. Annie Curtis, Professor (Assoc), School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences (PBS), RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- The Hindu
The Svedberg show
A path to pursue Born on August 30, 1884 at Flerang in the parish of Valbo near Gavle, Sweden, Theodor (The) Svedberg was the only child of Elias Svedberg and Augusta Alstermark. The fact that his father was a works manager at different ironworks in Sweden and Norway meant that the family lived at a number of places in Scandinavia during his childhood. His father made it a point to take him out for excursions often, allowing him to develop a love for nature and a keen interest in botany. Svedberg attended the Koping School, the Orebro High School and Gothenburg Modern School and had the privilege of being taught by some prominent teachers. These teachers were also understanding, allowing Svedberg to study on his own. This gained him access to laboratories after ordinary classes and Svedberg spent time in the afternoons at the physical and chemical labs of the school. Stoked by the advent of new discoveries and inventions in both physics and chemistry, Svedberg went about building stuff on his own. He created a Marconi-transmitter and a Tesla-transformer this way and even arranged public demonstrations that included wireless telegraphy between two blocks of his school. Even though he had a passionate interest in botany, he decided to study chemistry following his hands-on efforts in his school laboratories. This experience also put him in good stead when he went on to experiment with colloids later on. A lifelong association After matriculating from school, Svedberg began a lifelong association with Uppsala University in January 1904. It was here that he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1905, his Master's degree in 1907 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1908. While still studying, Svedberg accepted a post as assistant in the Chemical Institute at Uppsala. This means that Svedberg's scientific career set off in 1905, while he was still in his early 20s. By 1907, he was given the added responsibility of serving as lecturer in chemistry in the university. It wasn't long before a special appointment as lecturer and demonstrator of physical chemistry came through in 1909. In 1912, he was elected Professor of Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University – a position he held onto until 1949, when he was made emeritus. It was in 1949 that Svedberg took on the role of director of the Gustaf Werner Institute for Nuclear Chemistry at the University. He remained at this post until 1967 and the institute was renamed The Svedberg Laboratory in 1986, about 15 years after his death in 1971. The facility was permanently shut down in 2016, following a decision a year earlier to implement decommissioning. It is worth mentioning that a Nature article in 1944 speaks of a volume 'compiled by colleagues, friends and pupils to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of The Svedberg.' Even though by title he was a Professor of Physical Chemistry, 31 of the 56 communications in that volume can be termed as biophysics – both a nod to Svedberg's passion towards biological systems, and the fact that he had wide-ranging interests and activities. British physical chemist Eric Keightley Rideal, to whom the Nature article is attributed, also makes it clear that if it hadn't been for the limitations imposed on this compilation by World War II, the 'contributions would certainly have come in from all parts of the world.' A lifetime with science Primarily interested in colloids, Svedberg's work mainly concerned with these particles with a size of between 1 and 100 nanometres. His 1908 doctoral thesis – Studien zur Lehre von den kolloiden Lösungen – is now considered a classic and he described a new method of producing colloidal particles. Svedberg also gave convincing evidence of the validity of the theory on Brownian movements founded by renowned theoretical physicist Albert Einstein and Polish physicist Marian Smoluchowski. In this way, Svedberg provided conclusive proof of the physical existence of molecules. One of Svedberg's early patents was filed on June 1, 1909. In this patent, titled 'Process of Producing Colloidal Sols or Gels.' Svedberg speaks of an invention relating to the process of producing colloidal sols or gels. The patent was accepted and granted in Great Britain on May 26, 1910. It is interesting to note that Svedberg applied for this patent in four countries. What's more, he made the applications in Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria also on June 1, 1909. Working with a number of collaborators, Svedberg continued to study the physical properties of colloids, be it diffusion, light absorption, or sedimentation. His studies enabled him to conclude that the gas laws could be applied to disperse systems. Svedberg invented the ultracentrifuge for the study of sedimentation. Using this, he could study large molecules in solution, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and high polymers. Svedberg employed centrifugal forces to better mimic the effects of gravity on particles and the first ultracentrifuge, which was constructed in 1924, could generate a centrifugal force up to 5,000 times the force of gravity. With an ultracentrifuge, Svedberg came up with findings relating to molecular size and shape, and also used it to prove that proteins were a kind of macromolecules, paving the way for molecular biology. For his discoveries regarding disperse systems, Svedberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1926. In his later years, Svedberg switched to nuclear chemistry and radiation biology. He made contributions to improve the cyclotron and helped his doctoral student – Swedish biochemist Arne Tiselius – as he went about researching electrophoresis to separate and analyse proteins. Tiselius himself went on to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1948 'for his research on electrophoresis and adsorption analysis, especially for his discoveries concerning the complex nature of the serum proteins.' An Indian connection Svedberg has a couple of Indian connections – one that can be refuted, and another based on solid fact. The picture shown here is from The Hindu's archives. This image's caption mention both Svedberg and Indian physicist C. V. Raman. While there's no doubt that Raman is the one seated second from left, the same cannot be said about Svedberg. Even though he could be the one standing behind Raman, it can't be proven beyond doubt. Image searches on the web and AI-based results throw into question the possibility of Raman and Svedberg being in the same frame. Barring the caption in the archives, there's no known recorded mention online where the two scientists have been in the same gathering. In such a situation, it is impossible to conclude that the two men might have ever met. What we do know, however, is that Svedberg was a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. He was elected into the honorary fellowship in 1935, a year after the society was founded in 1934. This is an irrefutable fact that finds mention both in Svedberg's biographical entry on the Nobel Prize website and in the Fellows' portal of the Indian Academy of Sciences. This does hint that there might be a working relationship between Svedberg and Raman as the Indian Academy of Sciences was the brainchild of the latter. Raman founded the society in Bengaluru 'with the main objective of promoting the progress and upholding the cause of science.' When the Academy began functioning with 65 Founding Fellows in 1934, it elected Raman as its president in its first general meeting. Considering that Svedberg was elected an honorary fellow the very next year, the two men might well have known each other.
