{"id":2291,"date":"2021-04-07T14:01:42","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T18:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/?p=2291"},"modified":"2021-04-07T14:01:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T18:01:44","slug":"can-sleep-improve-your-immune-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/can-sleep-improve-your-immune-function\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Sleep Improve Your Immune Function?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting a good night\u2019s sleep is essential for mood, concentration and overall function. Did you know that getting sufficient sleep<\/a> can also boost your immune system? This is more important now than ever as we navigate the age of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Research Shows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sleep<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A study<\/a> conducted by researchers at the University of T\u00fcbingen in Germany have identified a link between poor sleep and impaired immune function. They also believe they\u2019ve uncovered the mechanism behind this connection. This study was published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine <\/em>in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T Cell Disruption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The research team believes the link between sleep and immune function has something to do with T cell disruption. T cells are part of the body\u2019s immune response to foreign bodies that may be harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When immune cells recognize certain pathogens, they activate integrins, which are a protein that T cells attach to in order to fight off invaders. There is not a lot that is known about T cells or what prevents them from attaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers studied the Gs alpha-coupled receptor (Gas-coupled receptor agonists), which are signaling molecules that can block the action of the immune system, in order to learn about this mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using lab analysis, they found that some Gs alpha-coupled receptor agonists stopped T cells from activating integrins, preventing them from attaching. Receptor agonists that were identified included two hormones: adrenaline and noradrenaline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Enhances T Cell Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During sleep, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels tend to drop, so the next step of this study was to research the phenomenon in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this part of the study, researchers took T cells from volunteers, one sleeping group and one awake group. Analysis of these samples showed that the sleeping group’s T cells had higher integrin activation levels than the awake group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shows that sleep has a positive impact on the function of the T cells. This is because Gs alpha-coupled receptor agonists are less active in this state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What This Means for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep is essential for your health and wellbeing. If you\u2019ve purchased a comfy new mattress from Express Furniture & Mattress<\/strong><\/a> and still are having trouble sleeping, you may have a sleep disorder<\/a>. Call the sleep experts at Hampton Roads ENT today to get help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn More About Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n