3. Deep Sleep
Until recently, sleep was largely overlooked.
Most people, including doctors thought if you were lying on a mattress for 7-9 hours a night, you were 'GOOD.'
We have since learned that is not the case.
Sleep is made up of three primary stages:
- Light sleep
- Deep Sleep
- REM Sleep
All stages are important and have different roles but Deep Sleep is the time when your brain releases Growth Hormone.
Growth Hormone is not only responsible for allowing your muscle tissue to rebuild, it is also needed for every cell in your body to repair.
The problem is that most adults have poor quality deep sleep.
It can be measured with devices such as FitBits and Apple watches.
It can also be measured with elaborate devices like Sonar and EEG, like I use.
Deep Sleep typically becomes more problematic and shorter as we age.
In fact, Alzheimer's patients generate little to no deep sleep and this is typically the cause of death.
Ways to improve Deep Sleep:
- Avoid carbs and sugars - they increase insulin and will prevent deep sleep
- Avoid alcohols - they increase insulin and will prevent deep sleep
- Strength Training - Promotes Deep Sleep since your body will 'signal' for growth hormone to repair
- Take Omega-3 Cold Processed Pharmaceutical Fish Oil before bed. Strong Omega-3 fats will encourage deep sleep, lower insulin and help to burn fat
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