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Sleep might just be the fountain of youth people are looking for as researchers found more evidence that quality rest is linked to good health and longevity. Scientists learn that compromising on sleep can negatively affect the body's major system like brain, heart and immune system. Not sleeping enough can is one of the unhealthiest people can do.

According to recent studies, people who sleep short or irregularly are at a higher risk of developing diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. All these could lead to early death. It can also affect the brain which increases the risk of a person getting dementia like Alzheimer's disease, mood disorders including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. Effects of poor sleep could now be likened to smoking, bad diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, said that while initially believed that sleep is the third pillar of good health along diet and exercise, he does not believe in it anymore. He said that sleep is the single most effective thing a person can do to reset the brain and body for good health. It is like the fountain of youth people are looking for so they can live longer.

Experts believe that skimping on sleep is not safe or wise thing to do. According to David Schnyer, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Texas, Austin, sleep is like the canary in the coal mine; it can create system wide changes in the organism. All stages of sleep affect the entire body and brain.

In a recent study with rodents, sleep deprivation can cause death faster than starvation. Sleep is a critical piece, like a fountain of youth, if people want to live longer life.