By studying the sleep patterns of nearly 150 men between 16 and 83, University of Chicago researchers discovered that the sharp decline in growth hormone that occurs from young adulthood to middle age may to be linked to the loss of deep sleep. The study also found a link between an increase in levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, and the decline in REM, or dream sleep, which begins around age 50. High cortisol levels are associated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and memory loss. Researchers believe improving sleep when we're younger, might delay the aging process. You hear a lot about good nutrition.
People take vitamins.
And then, they sleep poorly. The next step is to look at the relationship between sleep and hormones, in women. The current generation of sleeping pills does not increase deep sleep. Researchers hope future studies will lead to medications that increase both deep sleep and dream sleep.