We all know that our sleep is essential to our health, but did you know that our sleep can actually affect our body’s inflammatory response? It’s true! Scholars over the years have remarked that sleep is “a restorative process that is important for the proper functioning of our immune system,” and without this process, it can affect the release of cytokines overnight. Cytokines are what help us regulate our immune systems, and one of the many things we will talk about more in-depth in this article.
If you’re looking for more insights into how our sleep affects our body’s inflammatory response, read on! We’ll look at what cytokines are, how our sleep is connected to our cytokine levels, and what this can do for our health. We’ll also briefly touch upon what you can do to improve your sleep and overall health.
What Are Cytokines and Why Do They Matter?
Cytokines might be a new term to you, but they are something that affects nearly every biological process that we encounter. They are responsible for our aging, how we respond to infections, how embryos develop in the womb, and so much more! There are different classes of cytokines, too, because some are tasked with being pro-inflammatory while others fight against inflammation in the body.
Cytokines remain a unique part of our immune response because they are involved in nearly every process in our body, acting as the “hormones” of the immune system whenever they are needed. In a healthy brain, cytokines are to be expected in the brain, but they can also regulate sleep-wake behavior, specifically interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (Source: Sleep Medicine Reviews).
So, cytokines are absolutely essential to your health and your sleep. If we do not get adequate sleep, our cytokines are disrupted, and we could face more infections and more challenges. However, let’s take a closer look at the connection between sleep and cytokine levels and what this does to our bodies.
The Connection Between Sleep and Our Cytokine Levels
In the right conditions, IL-1 and TNF—the two cytokines tied closely to our sleep—promote non-REM sleep, even when you are experiencing more inflammation than usual. Both of these unique cytokines actually impact sleep, even though this research is still not entirely understood. Several studies are still being conducted today to help understand how cytokines specifically impact sleep, both among neuroscientists and sleep experts alike. What can be confirmed today is that IL-1, IL-6, and TNF can promote inflammation and are tied to the promotion of non-REM sleep.
However, studies have also confirmed how IL-1 and TNF are associated with changes in sleep whenever people experience illness, or they may also develop sleep apnea. At the same time, other cytokines—like IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13—are associated with producing anti-inflammatory conditions. In other words, they can fight back against the inflammation present in the body (Source: The New York Academy of Sciences).
This is why many people are targeting cytokines today to help fight against sleep disturbances and improve people’s inflammation! But how do cytokines affect our inflammatory response? Let’s look at that in more depth next.
Sleep, Its Impact on Cytokine Production, and Our Health
For many people today, the quality of their sleep is tied to inflammation, which makes perfect sense when considering how sleep and cytokines are connected. However, we can easily see the implications for our health when we look at what happens with more sleep and less sleep.
When people get more sleep, they may experience more inflammation because of the increased amount and type of cytokines produced. In comparison, people who get less sleep might see a different result. For those who struggle with sleep, the cytokines that are produced during this time promote non-REM sleep, but it can actually lead to more illness or even an increased risk of infection (Source: Sleep).
When we look at this in the long term, it could actually impact our immune system. In fact, you might even see some other long-term challenges—like narcolepsy and others—develop, too!
Your immune system can be impacted if your body experiences too much inflammation because of too little sleep. Studies show that narcolepsy is connected to more inflammation. Over time, some people who develop this condition can experience sleep apnea, cardiovascular challenges, and even more illness because of their poor immunity (Source: Sleep Medicine).
As you can see, if you sleep more, you might experience more inflammation and a better immune response. However, if you sleep less, you might help your body’s fight against inflammation and promote better non-REM sleep. So, how do you encourage better health? Let’s explore how you can enjoy optimal rest and immunity!
Support Healthy Cytokine Production and Optimal Rest
Understanding how sleep quality and duration impact cytokine production can help you take steps to support inflammation and immunity. It all begins with having the right lifestyle, such as eating the right foods, drinking enough water, and managing stress.
Additionally, you can also take steps to promote better sleep hygiene. The easiest way to do this is to create a safe haven for you to sleep in your bedroom, one that supports your health and your relaxation. If all else fails and you still feel like you struggle with inflammation and poor sleep, you can consult a medical professional to seek alternative solutions.
How Will You Support Your Health?
Now that you know the truth about sleep and cytokines, as well as how they impact your inflammation levels, it is easy to see how important they are in protecting our health. With the insights we have provided, you can take steps to encourage better rest while also ensuring your immune system is at its prime. For more information about sleep health and how to promote better rest, visit our website today to read more from our experts.
