Discover how and why sleep apnea contributes to an increase in weight in our article Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain? Here’s What You Need to Know.Īlthough the emphasis on weight loss is often on caloric restriction, there is evidence that the Mediterranean diet not only helps with weight reduction, but may also provide additional benefits. Replace the SAD (Standard American Diet) for the Mediterranean DietĮxcess weight and sleep apnea are often linked and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognized weight loss and exercise as both viable lifestyle treatment options. To learn more about how a warm bath can improve your sleep read the Top 5 Tips to Help You Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep.Ħ. Plus, a nice warm bath can help get your body ready for bed. Magnesium supplements are also available, but talk to your doctor before taking any supplement, especially if you have a preexisting condition or are on other medications.Īnother option for increasing the magnesium levels in your body are to enjoy Epsom Salt Baths before bedtime. Even dark chocolate is high in magnesium. Magnesium can be found in healthy foods like avocados, seeds and nuts, bananas and leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collard greens. Magnesium has high anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce inflammation and may be therapeutic for people with sleep apnea.
People suffering from sleep apnea experience high oxidative stress during the night. C-reactive proteins are produced by the liver to combat inflammation in the body. Those lower levels of magnesium also correlated to higher levels of c-reactive protein in the bloodstream. One study found that people with sleep apnea had lower levels of magnesium in their bodies. Which means the cool room temperature provides better sleep despite worsening sleep apnea symptoms, and if you’re treating your sleep apnea you’ll be able to sleep at ideal temperature without worrying about your symptoms getting worse. What makes this study so interesting though is that untreated sleep apnea was also worse when the temperature was lower. When the room was warmer (around 75 degrees) they experienced poorer sleep. They also had better sleep efficiency, which is the amount of time spent actually asleep while in bed. They reported feeling more alert in the mornings. This is just good advice for anyone, but researchers tested the effects of ambient temperature on people with sleep apnea and discovered surprising results.Īs you may have suspected, people with sleep apnea reported better sleep when the room temperature was around 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ideal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn Down the Thermostat to Improve Overall Nighttime Sleep