Hormonal
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) contributes to the development of insulin resistance and elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) independently of obesity, with visceral fat being the primary anatomical driver.
If you have sleep apnoea, treating the breathing obstruction (e.g., with CPAP) is important, but it does not automatically fix your metabolic health. You must actively manage insulin sensitivity through diet and exercise, as OSA independently drives inflammation and insulin resistance regardless of your weight.
we showed that IL-6, TNFa, leptin and insulin levels were elevated in sleep apnoea independently of obesity and that visceral fat, was the primary parameter linked with sleep apnoea.
Why this rating
Based on controlled studies comparing BMI-matched apnoeic and non-apnoeic groups, showing statistically significant differences in insulin and cytokine levels.
Source
Metabolic disturbances in obesity versus sleep apnoea: the importance of visceral obesity and insulin resistance
Alexandros N. Vgontzas et al. · Journal of Internal Medicine · 2003
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2003.01177.x
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