If you’re struggling with disrupted sleep, you might be in for some good news. One scientific expert believes he has uncovered the cause.
Dave Asprey, an author and longevity advocate, asserts that fluctuating blood sugar levels are the culprits. According to him, a drop in glucose triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can wake you up.
In an Instagram video shared with his 1.1 million followers, Mr. Asprey stated, “For most people who wake up between 3 to 5 a.m. and can’t fall back asleep, it’s usually due to a crash in your blood sugar.”
He elaborated that cortisol and adrenaline cause the release of additional glucose, which is stored in the liver and muscles.
“But the issue is that cortisol and adrenaline wake you up,” Asprey explained. “While the brain gets what it needs, you miss out on your sleep.”
To combat this, he suggests having a “small snack before bed” that includes options like “raw honey, collagen, MCT oil, or a combination of all three.”
MCT oil, a supplement derived from triglycerides found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and some dairy products, is easier to digest compared to other fats.
Dave Asprey, an author and longevity influencer, has claimed your blood sugar — or glucose — levels are to blame
In an Instagram video shared with his 1.1 million followers, Mr. Asprey stated, “Most people who wake up between 3 and 5 a.m. and can’t fall back asleep are experiencing a crash in their blood sugar.”
He explained that a drop in blood sugar levels triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which raises glucose levels and, in turn, disrupts your sleep.
Limited research suggests that collagen, MCT oil, and honey—particularly varieties like Robinia, clover, and unprocessed raw honey—can offer sustained energy without the blood sugar crashes associated with other sources.
Mr. Asprey, a multimillionaire who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is the founder of the Bulletproof Coffee nutrition brand. Known as a biohacker, he claims to have around six percent body fat and has invested $2 million (£1.54 million) of his own money into researching and testing ways to reverse the aging process.
He is 50 years old but frequently claims that his “lab tests” indicate he has a biological age of 39 and predicts he will live to 180.
However, research indicates that chronic stress can elevate levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which can disrupt sleep patterns.
Cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, has a more intricate role in the body.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, receptors for cortisol are found throughout nearly every part of the body.
When cortisol is released into the bloodstream, it can attach to and influence various systems, including the immune system, muscles, and even hair, skin, and nails.
Sleep deprivation can result in obesity, memory loss, diabetes, heart disease, heightened emotional instability, diminished learning ability, and a weakened immune response, making you more susceptible to illness.
Experts have long indicated that waking up during the night doesn’t automatically indicate insomnia, a condition that affects approximately 14 million people in the UK.
However, sleep deprivation can have significant consequences, ranging from irritability and decreased focus in the short term to a heightened risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
The American Sleep Association reports that nearly 70 million Americans also suffer from sleep disorders.
Concerns have escalated in recent years regarding the use of sleeping pills among Britons.
Recent NHS data indicates that prescriptions for medications like Ambien (zolpidem) and zopiclone have remained largely unchanged over the past five years, despite growing calls for stricter regulations on these powerful hypnotics.
While advocates argue that these medications can be a vital resource for individuals struggling with severe insomnia, they also pose a risk of addiction, leading users to become increasingly reliant on them for sleep.
