Can sleeping in an oxygen tent help you lose weight? A new study will examine whether restricting oxygen at night can burn calories and reverse the condition
- Researchers at the University of Portsmouth are testing the new sleep technology
- Tents reduce oxygen levels to levels similar to high-altitude air
- Experts believe that this can lead to weight loss as it suppresses appetite
By Joe Davis Health Reporter for Mailonline
Posted: 18:34, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 20:25, 20 June 2022
People with type 2 diabetes may not even have to leave bed to lose weight in the future.
A new study will examine whether breathing lower amounts of oxygen during sleep can improve blood sugar levels.
Previous research has shown that hypoxia – low levels of oxygen in the body – can reduce appetite and burn more calories in people with type 2 diabetes.
Conducted by the University of Portsmouth, the new study will include sleeping at home in a tent that limits element levels.
Experts say it can help people with diabetes who are struggling to exercise, lose weight and speed up remission in those who are already active.
Type 2 diabetes affects about 4.4 million people in the UK, with an estimated 33 million in the United States.
Being overweight or poor diet is responsible for almost every case of the disease, unlike type 1, which is usually genetic.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth are testing new oxygen tents (pictured) to see if breathing less oxygen can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight while sleeping
Current treatments for type 2 include pills that can be taken after a meal to regulate glucose levels, and insulin injections if other medications no longer work.
Other studies have shown that living conditions with reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause weight loss in obese men.
Scientists are still unsure why hypoxia helps with weight loss, but one theory is that when your lungs don’t work as well as they should, your body has to work harder to breathe, which can burn more. calories.
In the new study, they will participate in experiments in their own homes, sleeping in a tent set up by researchers for two 10-day periods.
During the trial, volunteers will be asked to carry smart monitors, keep a food diary, and provide blood, urine, and stool samples to monitor the effects of hypoxia.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that leads to too high a level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
May cause symptoms such as excessive thirst, urination and fatigue. It can also increase the risk of serious eye, heart and nerve problems.
This is a lifelong condition that can affect your daily life. You may need to change your diet, take medication and go for regular check-ups.
It is caused by problems with a chemical in the body (a hormone) called insulin. It is often associated with overweight or inactivity, or a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Source: NHS
They will also have a body scan and test their blood glucose levels to help researchers understand how it affects their body weight and diabetes.
During one of the periods, oxygen levels will be set at 15 percent, similar to the levels for passengers on an airplane or for people living at high altitudes.
Normal air consists of about 21% oxygen.
Dr Ant Shepard, an exercise physiologist, said diabetes was a “long-term” condition for most people, putting them at “greater risk of developing other serious health complications, such as heart disease or eye problems.”
He said: “Although it is possible to lose weight and lower blood sugar levels through changes in diet and increased exercise, there are a number of factors and barriers that make these lifestyle changes difficult for some people to begin with.”
The number of people living with type 2 diabetes is expected to reach 700 million worldwide by 2045.
Dr Shepard added: “It is vital to find other successful interventions to help treat and manage the condition by reducing NHS costs and making people’s daily lives better.
“There is already a lot of evidence from other studies showing that hypoxia improves blood sugar control and leads to weight loss.
“We’re not entirely sure why this is happening, but we think it’s likely because it helps you burn more calories and suppress appetites so people don’t feel so hungry.”
Hypoxia can be fatal if not achieved under carefully controlled conditions by clinicians.
Decreased oxygen levels can cause shortness of breath, headaches, confusion and unexplained exhaustion. In severe cases, it can cause coma or even death.
Reflecting on the tents, test participant Janet Renelle-Smith said: “It doesn’t feel claustrophobic, and when you get used to the noise of the machine, it doesn’t feel any different.
“I am pleased to participate in the study, which may give us alternative treatments for this disease in the future.
“I would recommend anyone who can to volunteer and help with this study.”
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