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Sleep and Body Composition

Meaning

Sleep and Body Composition describes the reciprocal, interconnected relationship between the quality and quantity of nocturnal sleep and the relative proportion of lean muscle mass versus adipose tissue in the human body. Adequate sleep is a critical regulatory factor for body composition, directly influencing the balance of appetite-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin, as well as anabolic hormones such as Growth Hormone and testosterone. Chronic sleep deprivation significantly impairs metabolic flexibility, promotes insulin resistance, and shifts the hormonal milieu toward fat storage and muscle catabolism. Optimizing sleep is thus a fundamental strategy for managing weight and maintaining muscle mass.