The Unexpected Cause of Sleep Problems Revealed

British somnologist revealed an unexpected connection between the gut and insomnia

Sleep doctor Sarah McNeilis from the prestigious University College London Hospital has discovered an amazing relationship: your sleep quality may directly depend on the condition of your gut microflora. The specialist shared her sensational findings with the Daily Mail.

The latest scientific data indicates the existence of a bidirectional connection between the gut and sleep. "It's a kind of vicious cycle: disruptions in the microbiome can cause insomnia, and chronic sleep deprivation, in turn, negatively affects the bacterial composition of the gut," explains McNeilis.

To support her statement, the expert cites a large-scale study by Chinese scientists with an impressive sample size of nearly 387,000 participants. The results were astonishing: people with serious sleep disorders showed a significant reduction in the quantity of seven groups of intestinal bacteria. The population of beneficial microorganisms, including some types of lactobacilli, was particularly noticeably reduced.

"These bacteria play a key role in ensuring healthy sleep. When processing dietary fiber, they produce short-chain fatty acids – essential substances that regulate the exchange of signals between the gut and the brain," the doctor explains. At the same time, insufficient sleep creates ideal conditions for the proliferation of "harmful" bacteria, which can trigger a real spiral of sleep problems.

McNeilis emphasizes: these discoveries indicate the need for a comprehensive approach to treating insomnia. In addition to traditional sleep hygiene recommendations, doctors should pay attention to the patient's gut health and diet.