Study finds ‘sweet spot’ of sleep needed to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Sleeping too much or too little every night can affect brain performance in adults, increase symptoms of depression and weight, and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that sleeping six hours or less per night or nine hours or more per night negatively impacted the health of adults.

“There seems to be a real sweet spot,” said Dr Jennifer Ashton, chief medical correspondent for ABC News and board-certified OBGYN. “People who slept less than six hours on PET brain imaging had a higher level of these brain plaques than we found in association with Alzheimer’s disease.”

“However, too much, equally bad. Nine or more hours associated with poor cognitive performance,” added Ashton, who was not in the study.

The ideal amount of sleep per night is seven to eight hours, according to the study.

“It really shows that more is not better,” Ashton said. “Your brain needs a certain amount of sleep, but too much sleep puts it to sleep in a certain way.”

The results of the study – which examined data from more than 4,000 adults in the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan – again underscore the important role sleep plays in achieving optimal health, according to Ashton. .

She noted that not getting enough sleep each night affects your immune system and has been linked to everything from increased risk of heart attacks and strokes to depression and obesity.

“I always say that sleep has a [public relations] problem. We consider it a luxury. In fact, it’s a medical necessity, “she said.” We need to prioritize this on par with our nutrition and fitness for optimal health. “

Ashton added: “I always tell people, ‘If you’re not feeling well, look at your sleep first.'”

Here are Ashton’s four tips for getting a good night’s sleep, in her own words:

1. Follow a consistent sleep schedule: This means, if possible, going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day. You can’t make up for that on the weekends.

2. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol and caffeine a few hours before bedtime.

3. The environment is really important. You want to keep your room cool, dark, and quiet, without something with a screen.

4. Meditation and exercise during the day have been shown to increase sleep at night.