How Essential is Sleep for Longevity?
When centenarians share the tips that have carried them into old age, their lists usually include eating habits, exercise routines, and other habits done in the daylight. But according to Seema Bonney, M.D., the founder and medical director of the Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Philadelphia, what happens at night is just as important.
“If there’s any one positive thing we can do in terms of slowing down the aging process, sleep is really up there,” Bonney tells mbg. “It’s something you need to optimize in order to improve your healthspan, and therefore your lifespan.”
Why we can’t talk about longevity without talking about sleep. While sleep may feel like a passive process, it actually sets off a flurry of beneficial biological activity. As we snooze, our brains clear out abnormal proteins, our pituitary glands release hormones that help the body grow and repair, and our immune systems go into defend-and-protect mode.
Excerpted from MBG Health
