DEEP SLEEP MAY DEFEND AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S

Each day, as your brain cells consume energy, they create waste products. These include beta-amyloid, a compound that’s found in abnormal levels in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe that a healthy brain cleans out this unneeded substance during the deep, dreamless part of the sleep cycle known as slow-wave sleep. In a six-year California study, seniors who experienced less slow-wave sleep tended to accumulate more beta-amyloid. This suggests you could reduce your Alzheimer’s risk by practicing good sleep habits and seeking treatment for sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia and sleep apnea.