We know that stress and sleep are essential to our overall well-being. Both can leave you feeling on edge, frustrated, and downright exhausted. Not to mention both—if they persist for too long—can lead to a slew of health complications.
Well now, new research is uncovering another disturbing connection—and it’s between these factors and colorectal cancer.
While many of us may focus on our diet or exercise to stay healthy, it turns out that poor sleep and chronic stress can wreak havoc on your gut, contributing to cancer progression.
So, how does this all work, and what can you do to protect your health?
Recent studies suggest that stress and disruption to your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock that regulates your sleep/wake cycle) can affect your gut microbiome—the collection of bacteria and other microbes that play a crucial role in digestion and immune function.
And when your gut isn’t functioning properly, it could lead to increased inflammation, which may accelerate the development of colorectal cancer.
In a new study published in Science Advances, researchers used mouse models to explore the link between sleep disruption, stress, and colorectal cancer progression.
What they found was eye-opening: disruptions to the circadian rhythm caused changes in the gut microbiome, which led to increased intestinal permeability (often referred to as a “leaky gut”) and higher levels of inflammation.
This inflammation, in turn, appeared to accelerate the growth of cancer cells in the intestines.
Another study, presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2024, showed that chronic stress had a similar impact. Researchers found that mice exposed to chronic stress developed a gut imbalance that promoted the growth of tumors.
Even more interesting, when researchers transplanted gut bacteria from stressed mice into healthy ones, the healthy mice showed an increased tumor burden. This suggests that stress-induced changes in the gut microbiome could play a major role in cancer progression.
The idea that gut health and cancer are linked isn’t entirely new, but these studies provide stronger evidence of the connection. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining overall health, and when it’s disrupted by stress or poor sleep, it can lead to chronic inflammation—a known risk factor for cancer.
One specific finding from the mouse studies was that beneficial bacteria, like Lactobacillus, were found in lower levels in the stressed mice. These bacteria are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and could help protect against cancer.
This raises an intriguing possibility: could boosting beneficial gut bacteria through probiotics or other interventions help slow the progression of colorectal cancer?
While these studies were conducted on mice, the findings provide some valuable insights that could help all of us support our gut health—and possibly lower our cancer risk.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your gut:
- Prioritize Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to support your gut’s natural processes. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt both your sleep and your gut. Incorporate stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.
- Support Your Gut Microbiome: Eating a diet rich in fiber and fermented foods can help support a healthy balance of gut bacteria. You might also consider adding a probiotic supplement—particularly one that contains Lactobacillus—to promote gut health.
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity not only helps reduce stress but also supports a healthy gut and lowers your risk of colorectal cancer.
If there’s one thing we can learn from these studies, it’s that sleep, stress management, and gut health are all deeply connected to your overall well-being.
Prioritizing good sleep hygiene, finding ways to manage stress, and supporting your gut through diet and probiotics are all practical steps you can take to help lower your risk of cancer.
To your health and peace of mind,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. Popping a pill can diagnose—and TREAT—colon cancer? Find out here.
Sources:
Flynn, H. (2024, October 13). Sleep, stress, and gut imbalances may impact colorectal cancer progression. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sleep-stress-and-gut-imbalances-may-impact-colorectal-cancer-progression#How-disrupted-sleep-can-affect-the-gut
