We often pay close attention to our diet and step counts, but new research suggests we're overlooking the most crucial and potentially deadly 

Pillar of health: our sleep.

According to Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Senior Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, consistently poor sleep (less than 6 hours) can be a major cause of premature death. This risk can be even more serious than a poor diet or lack of physical activity. Let's understand this in detail.

Your Brain Cleans Itself During Sleep
From a neurological perspective, sleep is not just about rest. When you sleep, your brain's "waste clearance system" (called the glymphatic system) becomes active. This system removes neurotoxins or toxins like "beta-amyloid" from the brain. If you don't get enough sleep, this cleaning process doesn't happen, and your brain literally remains "dirty" inside.

The "Triple Threat" of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation attacks the body in three ways:

Metabolic: It increases levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and ghrelin (the hunger hormone). This leads to increased insulin resistance and a higher risk of obesity.

Cardiovascular: Blood pressure should normally decrease at night, but sleep deprivation prevents this. This puts unnecessary strain on the heart.

Neurological: It rapidly reduces your cognitive abilities and increases the risk of stroke.

Doctor's Opinion
The doctor says that you cannot repay your sleep debt by exercising or eating a healthy diet. In other words, if you're sleeping less, sweating it out at the gym, or eating salads won't compensate for the damage. You need to work on improving your sleep cycle itself.

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