We've heard it a billion times, make sure you sleep well for around 8 or so hours each night. Why? And why is it so important to our body composition.

MUSCLE BUILDS AT NIGHT
When we sleep, and predominantly between 10pm - 2am we are releasing loads of lovely Growth Hormone along with other anabolic hormones such as Testosterone and Melatonin. When we train in the gym we are in a catabolic state, a state of breaking down our tissue. It is the anabolic rebound that builds us lean and strong, and this rebound takes place when we rest and especially when we sleep.

WE BURN FAT AT NIGHT
 I can hear fist pumps around the world! Those same anabolic hormones are also powerful fat burning hormones, particularly our friend Growth Hormone. If we are sleeping restfully our stress hormone cortisol should be sitting at its baseline allowing for anabolic processes to take place. Cortisol = catabolic, or breaking down, unfortunately it doesn't mean breaking down fat necessarily.

OUR HUNGER SIGNALS ARE BETTER REGULATED
Through some pesky hormonal signals, tiredness makes us want to eat, and usually makes us want to eat lots of bad food. Have you ever heard of a really tired person craving a salad?

What are the dangers of too much sodium? How much sodium is too much and where is hidden sodium in the diet.

Sodium is one of the key electrolytes in the body.  We need it, but too much of it (like anything) throws the system out of balance and health related concerns present.  Too much sodium can lead to the following:

• Fluid retention, mild or severe Edema
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Hypernatremia (high blood sodium)
• Renal disease (kidneys)
• Stomach cancer