The One Thing I'm Concerned About Is Sleep

[KevinPotts]

My signature says it all....happy days and moving in the right direction post diagnosis of T2 and Metabolic Syndrome on the 13 April 2016

Just one thing remains a current concern.....SLEEP!

The healthier I am becoming, the less sleep I seem to need and yet that is absolutely at odds with every single piece of advice I have read....and I've read a lot

I've always been an early riser - did a morning paper round from 10-18 years old arriving at the shop at 6AM, so that was my habit formation and I go to bed about 10pm and sleep soonish after, once I've read a little, no later than say 11pm.

But since starting my LCHF (20 g carbs per day) diet around 8 weeks ago, I've woken up between 4.45AM and 6AM, EVERY SINGLE MORNING....

And I am like Tigger....as bright as a button

Now I am aware of the great and the good that have apparently thrived on 3-4 hours sleep night, Mrs Thatcher et al....but I'm not convinced it's healthy.

Thoughts?


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[lovinglife]

If you feel happy, healthy and awake and able to cope with your day I wouldn't worry about it, IMHO we need less sleep than we think, you may have seen on some posts that I have mentioned I don't always get sleep because of my home circumstances, my sons consultant said to me as long as we get 5hrs then we are getting enough.

Think of it this way - many many moons ago we would rise with the sun and go to bed at sunset - so in the summer months are about 4.5 - 5 hours sleep - you may just be getting the sleep you need, if you start to feel you are suffering from lack of sleep you can look at it again and try to find something to help you

 

[KevinPotts]

If you feel happy, healthy and awake and able to cope with your day I wouldn't worry about it, IMHO we need less sleep than we think, you may have seen on some posts that I have mentioned I don't always get sleep because of my home circumstances, my sons consultant said to me as long as we get 5hrs then we are getting enough.

Think of it this way - many many moons ago we would rise with the sun and go to bed at sunset - so in the summer months are about 4.5 - 5 hours sleep - you may just be getting the sleep you need, if you start to feel you are suffering from lack of sleep you can look at it again and try to find something to help you

Oh thanks...I like that "many moons" analogy...it has some logical sense BTW thanks for responding at such an unearthly hour...haha


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[catapillar]

You started LCHF in mid April & started rising earlier. You know British summer time started at the end of March & sunrise would have been about 6:30 then, creeping earlier day by day. Sounds like you are rising with the sun, get some black out blinds, or just enjoy the bright mornings

 

[KevinPotts]

You started LCHF in mid April & started rising earlier. You know British summer time started at the end of March & sunrise would have been about 6:30 then, creeping earlier day by day. Sounds like you are rising with the sun, get some black out blinds, or just enjoy the bright mornings

Oh I love the bright mornings...like now, I'm usually doing my morning run at 6AM


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[Lamont D]

Do you wake because you have to or just wake after undisturbed sleep, do you have good sleep patterns even though you wake refreshed?

Sleep is very interesting to me, I have my own theories why I get (every now and then) weird dreams and broken sleep other than the visits to the loo!

I was on tablets for a year but was doing more harm than good!

If you are not tired during your normal cycle through the day, there should be no worries!

 

[Brunneria]

There is a well established connection between low carb and less sleep.
If you google it, you will find it widely discussed on paleo and low carb forums.

The general consensus seems to be that carbs are soporific, and people with 'LC insomnia' will often sleep better if they increase their carb intake during the evening. Of course, the amount will vary tremendously between people.

My opinion is not yet established. Too many unanswered questions.
- is the whole 'we need 8 hrs sleep' thing a result of centuries of the Carb Heavy diet sedating us into 8 hrs of grogginess?
- is 'LC insomnia' actually a return to our natural rhythm?
- should we 'carb up' in order to sleep?
- is 'LC insomnia' a result of excessive stress hormones brought on by too low carb?
- how much sleep do each of us actually need?
- and how do we know?

I guess it is up to each of us to carb enough (or little enough) for personal comfort.

 

[PenfoldAPD]

Pretty much the same, I'm away around 5:30am every day and ready to swim at 6:15. I used to have to drag myself to the pool. I'm making the most of it!

 

[britishpub]

Yep, same here.

Sleep less, more energy, less fatigue.

Low Carb is the way.

 

[Lamont D]

There is a well established connection between low carb and less sleep.
If you google it, you will find it widely discussed on paleo and low carb forums.

The general consensus seems to be that carbs are soporific, and people with 'LC insomnia' will often sleep better if they increase their carb intake during the evening. Of course, the amount will vary tremendously between people.

My opinion is not yet established. Too many unanswered questions.
- is the whole 'we need 8 hrs sleep' thing a result of centuries of the Carb Heavy diet sedating us into 8 hrs of grogginess?
- is 'LC insomnia' actually a return to our natural rhythm?
- should we 'carb up' in order to sleep?
- is 'LC insomnia' a result of excessive stress hormones brought on by too low carb?
- how much sleep do each of us actually need?
- and how do we know?

I guess it is up to each of us to carb enough (or little enough) for personal comfort.

For me personally, Brun, your questions as such!

Yes, it is the carb heavy grogginess

Yes, again, it is a natural return to the rhythm!

Pass, I believe that very low carb has many destressing elements, and anxiety and other mental issues are relieved over time.

I only need six hours, seven if I'm lucky on a day off!
But I think, that work and personal preferences to how they live and of course, environmental and wether you are rich or poor can make a lot of difference.
As well as how you are brought up and your outlook on how you spend your leisure hours!

It should be, enough for us to be healthy!

 

[KevinPotts]

Do you wake because you have to or just wake after undisturbed sleep, do you have good sleep patterns even though you wake refreshed?

Sleep is very interesting to me, I have my own theories why I get (every now and then) weird dreams and broken sleep other than the visits to the loo!

I was on tablets for a year but was doing more harm than good!

If you are not tired during your normal cycle through the day, there should be no worries!

Thanks Nosher... I just wake up like after a refreshing nights rest


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30".

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.

 

[KevinPotts]

There is a well established connection between low carb and less sleep.
If you google it, you will find it widely discussed on paleo and low carb forums.

The general consensus seems to be that carbs are soporific, and people with 'LC insomnia' will often sleep better if they increase their carb intake during the evening. Of course, the amount will vary tremendously between people.

My opinion is not yet established. Too many unanswered questions.
- is the whole 'we need 8 hrs sleep' thing a result of centuries of the Carb Heavy diet sedating us into 8 hrs of grogginess?
- is 'LC insomnia' actually a return to our natural rhythm?
- should we 'carb up' in order to sleep?
- is 'LC insomnia' a result of excessive stress hormones brought on by too low carb?
- how much sleep do each of us actually need?
- and how do we know?

I guess it is up to each of us to carb enough (or little enough) for personal comfort.

Very helpful response... Thanks


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30".

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.

 

[KevinPotts]

Pretty much the same, I'm away around 5:30am every day and ready to swim at 6:15. I used to have to drag myself to the pool. I'm making the most of it!

Glad I'm not the only one


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30".

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.

 

[KevinPotts]

OK so I should remove "concerned" from this thread title


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30".

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.

 

[Lamont D]

Thanks Nosher... I just wake up like after a refreshing nights rest


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30".

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.

Then, you need not worry, mate!

And you are a fortunate person!

 

[ChrisSamsDad]

I'm waking up earlier too, though my wife who's on LCHF but isn't diabetic isn't seeing any such change. I'm loving it, personally, I often nip off to the gym and come back and make her breakfast in bed. I also find that I'm not having a nap in the evenings in front of the TV like I used to do. Wife doesn't do this now either. I do wonder if it'll be the same as the summer draws to a close, as I've only done this as dawn was getting earlier too.

 

[kokhongw]

When it comes to sleeping...I am beginning to think that getting back in sync with our circadian rhythm is the final key to fully restore our health...much of our modern lifestyle (artificial lighting/shift work/night feeding etc) has disrupted our natural rhythm...

https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-12-79

 

[Indy51]

When it comes to sleeping...I am beginning to think that getting back in sync with our circadian rhythm is the final key to fully restore our health...much of our modern lifestyle (artificial lighting/shift work/night feeding etc) has disrupted our natural rhythm...

https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-12-79

Go camping! http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/how-week-camping-resets-body-clock/

A lot of people swear by wearing blue-blocker glasses after sunset.

 

[walnut_face]

Thanks for raising this Kevin, I am not alone either! I dont go to be much before midnight, but am always up with the birds these days

 

[KevinPotts]

I'm waking up earlier too, though my wife who's on LCHF but isn't diabetic isn't seeing any such change. I'm loving it, personally, I often nip off to the gym and come back and make her breakfast in bed. I also find that I'm not having a nap in the evenings in front of the TV like I used to do. Wife doesn't do this now either. I do wonder if it'll be the same as the summer draws to a close, as I've only done this as dawn was getting earlier too.

You sound like a "mini me"... Haha

This little thread has defo removed what concern remained


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

6/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 66, 11st 11lbs, waist 30". Lifelong migraines and hay fever gone.

Regime: 20g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting.