The specialist spoke about the impact of lack of sleep on health

Modern research shows that chronic sleep deprivation affects the body no less than poor nutrition or a sedentary lifestyle. After several weeks of sleeping five to six hours a day, concentration decreases, memory deteriorates, anxiety levels increase, and cognitive productivity decreases. David Ghazaryan, CEO of Bioniq Russia and the CIS, told Izvestia about this on October 25.

"Prolonged sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity by up to 55%, type 2 diabetes by 48%, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and accelerates the biological aging of cells. In addition, sleep deficiency disrupts the production of leptin and ghrelin, hormones responsible for hunger and satiety, which causes a person to overeat and gain weight," he said.

Sleep is not just a rest, but the foundation of physiological and mental recovery. During sleep, the brain is cleansed of toxins, tissue regeneration occurs, cortisol levels normalize, and the immune system strengthens.

To improve the quality of sleep, the expert recommended several simple habits: a fixed schedule (going to bed and getting up at the same time, even on weekends); minimal light in the evening (avoid bright screens and use warm lighting an hour before bedtime); comfortable temperature (optimal +18...+20 degrees); moderate physical activity daytime and evening rituals such as meditation, reading, or breathing techniques.

In addition to behavioral habits, nutrients that affect sleep hormones and stress levels are also important. Among them are magnesium, L-theanine, melatonin, zinc, vitamin B6, as well as plant adaptogens — passionflower and valerian. Ghazaryan added that there is no need to act at random. Even in matters of sleep, there are no universal solutions: the body may lack specific substances, and it is a personalized approach (based on blood tests or objective biomarkers) that gives a stable result.

"Quality sleep is not just a rest, but the foundation of physical and mental well—being. And the sooner a person begins to build sleep hygiene, the more energy, clarity and stability he gets in everyday life," Ghazaryan concluded.

On October 4, Abigail Dove, a researcher at the Department of Neurobiology, Social Sciences and Public Health at the Karolinska Institute, spoke about the dependence of the aging process of the brain on the quality of sleep. She also suggested that due to the ability to modify sleep, it may be possible to prevent accelerated aging of the brain and even a decrease in its cognitive functions.

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