The Paradox of Sleep Apnea: Why Does Treatment Cause Some Patients to Gain Weight?

A study from Ben-Gurion University reveals that sleep apnea leaves a 'metabolic memory' that causes some patients to gain weight even after treatment. The effort to breathe burns calories, but once the problem is resolved, the body continues to demand food due to hormonal changes.

New research led by Prof. Ariel Tarsiuk from Ben-Gurion University attempts to decipher why some sleep apnea patients actually gain weight after treatment. The study, conducted on mice, reveals that sleep apnea leaves a 'metabolic memory' – hormonal changes that persist even after the disorder is cured. During apnea, the body burns about 70 extra calories per day due to the effort of breathing and awakenings, but patients compensate by eating more during the day. After treatment, the body continues to demand excess calories, and appetite-stimulating hormones (ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and AgRP) remain high, while the satiety hormone leptin fails to curb appetite. Prof. Giora Piller notes that only 10% of patients gain weight, while 30%-40% actually lose weight due to increased alertness. GLP-1 drugs, such as those from Eli Lilly, may help break the cycle.