By Carol Smith

Are you one of those people who burns the candle at both ends? You’re busy living life and as a are result suffer from a lack of sleep. Many people believe sleep is a waste of time. In fact, sleep is an important factor in slowing brain aging.

Researchers studied people over a period of five years to evaluate sleep patterns. At the end of the study, the results from the groups showed dramatic change in people whose sleep decreased during that period. People whose sleep had diminished over the five years of the study showed a marked increase in aging that was equivalent to an extra four to seven years.

Even though, it doesn’t seem like sleep is accomplishing anything, our bodies need the downtime to replenish and renew. Sleeps contributes to the regeneration of neurons that help the brain function. Not only does a lack of sleep affect brain aging, it also contributes to greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death

Don’t think that as you get older, you can get by on less sleep. Researchers believe that older adults still need to get between six and eight hours of sleep a night. This amount of sleep will slow both body and brain aging.

Ironically, researchers found that people who got substantially more sleep also had increased aging patterns. They believe this may be because of other factors, such as depression, heart disease or other illness.

In some ways we can’t slow or end aging. This includes brain aging. Simple things like getting enough sleep will not only slow aging, but you’ll also feel better.