The Effect of Poor Sleep Quality on Blood Lipids in the Elderly

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in the bloodstream and is a key component of blood lipids. Blood lipids are generally classified into two main types: "bad cholesterol," and "good cholesterol." Good cholesterol helps remove excess fats from the bloodstream and transports them to the liver for elimination. In contrast, bad cholesterol delivers fats to various tissues, and when its levels exceed the normal range, it can accumulate on artery walls. This buildup is closely associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Another important component of blood lipids is triglycerides, which are a type of fat stored in the body. Elevated triglyceride levels are considered a risk factor for the narrowing of blood vessels, which can ultimately lead to stroke or heart attack. High triglycerides can also increase the risk of developing pancreatitis and liver disease. Several factors contribute to increased blood lipid levels, including an unhealthy diet, smoking, genetic predisposition, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and the use of certain medications such as steroids. Researchers have recently suggested that sleep can also influence blood lipid levels. Lack of sleep quality and disrupted sleep patterns may lead to fat accumulation in the blood and body for several reasons, including the following:

• Changes in appetite hormones: Lack of sleep increases the secretion of appetite-related hormones, which enhances desire for consuming high-fat and sugary foods.
• Lack of energy and inactivity: Adequate sleep provides the energy necessary for physical activity. If you don't get enough sleep, you may become less active, which can lead to increased body fat.
• Hormones regulation: Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating hormones involved in fat metabolism. Insufficient sleep can disrupt this regulation and then leads to increased fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.

Beyond sleep duration, sleep quality is also important for metabolic processes, such as converting fat into energy. Quality sleep positively influences the regulation of metabolism-related hormones, some of which are responsible for fat burning. As a result, good sleep can support reducing both body and blood fat levels. Poor sleep quality is the third most common complaint among the elderly, after headaches and digestive disorders. Therefore, researchers have hypothesized that declining sleep quality in older age may be associated with changes in blood lipid levels and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
To investigate this, faculty members at Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences conducted a study on the relationship between sleep quality and blood lipid levels among the elderly in Neyshabur. In this study, a total of 3,452 elderly residents were examined, with both their sleep quality and blood lipids measured. The results revealed that poor sleep quality increased triglycerides and bad cholesterol while decreased good cholesterol in the elderly population. Consequently, the study concluded that poor sleep quality is a risk factor affecting blood lipid levels in older adults. Therefore, early behavioral or pharmacological interventions aimed at improving sleep quality appear necessary to regulate blood lipids in the elderly population.

Dr. Mitra Hariri