8 Hours to Healthier Cells

Want healthier cells in just 8 hours? Then get some solid shut-eye tonight.

Your body does important things while you sleep -- like healing your cells. But just one night of tossing and turning could trigger cell-damaging inflammation. So turn off the tube, slip on that sleep mask, and get your 40 winks.

Inflamed in the Membrane
In a recent study, sleep-deprived people -- especially women -- showed a marked increase in their levels of a protein called NF-kB. That's bad news, because NF-kB plays an essential role in the body's inflammation response. The study may help explain why poor sleep is associated with several inflammation-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Gauge your sleep with the RealAge Sleep Quiz.

Mini Mind-Body Makeovers
Need help adjusting to the end of daylight saving time? Or getting over jet lag? Or just sleeping through an average night? Doze your way to good health with these tips:

• Refresh yourself on the basics. Find out when to sleep, what temperature is best, and which foods to eat.
• You move, you snooze. You might associate stretching with waking up, but it can help you nod off, too. Stretch yourself to sleep.
• Develop good sleep habits. Fall asleep and stay asleep with this deep-sleep plan.

Are sinus symptoms robbing you of ZZZs? Get tips on taming them in the RealAge Soothe Your Sinuses Center.

Sleep loss activates cellular inflammatory signaling. Irwin, M. R. et al., Biological Psychiatry 2008 Sep 15;64(6):538-540.