ST. LOUIS - Washington University is set to begin a new study when it comes to sleep and insulin resistance.
KMOX Health Editor Fred Bodimer talks with Dr. Sam Klein, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine about the study.
According to Dr. Klein they know that a lack of sleep can cause insulin resistance, with a latter being a major factor in Type-2 Diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, etc.
Klein says the goal of the research is to see if people who have trouble with a sleeping or have a lack of sleep can improve their metabolic health and sleep better with better sleeping habits.
Dr. Klein says the study will be conducted and evaluate with short sleepers or people who only sleep seven hours or less.
"We're going to take those people and teaching them proper sleep hygiene and habits to enhance their sleep duration by one hour a day," Klein said.
Klein says the study is a non-medication study, so sleeping pills will not be needed.
"If this were to work, it could be potentially a very safe approach to improving people's health," Klein said, "The study will be done improving people's sleep hygiene, by helping people develop regular habits to get to bed earlier."