On Mon, 30 Jun 1997, Muriel Hykes wrote:

>         Todd, you know that your body produces cholesterol in times of stress.
> Are you worrying a lot about your son right now?

Not right now, but I have to say that it is not long since a
fairly difficult period, pertaining to school placement and that
sort of thing.  And summer teaching is itself stressful, given
the format.  And I have been teaching a double load.

>         I just had an inspiration.  The cholesterol needs to be pushed into a
> pathway to make some steroidal hormones.  I believe most of the B vitamins,
> esp. B6 are cofactors in this process.  Are you having ANY other symptoms?

Nothing I can think of.  My hip has been bothering me for a few
weeks, but I think I did that pushing too hard during a wind
sprint.

> How are you sleeping?

Well there's a problem.  I haven't been sleeping enough, that's
for sure.  I get home after classes, tired but not sleepy.  I do
some e-mail and then grab a book and don't get to sleep until
after midnight most nights.  I get up at six.

> Does your brain stop working at bedtime?  I wonder
> if you need more magnesium.

I have no idea.  But the sleep deprivation could be a problem.
As you see, I'm still grading exams now, when I should be
sleeping.  Tomorrow, however, the grades will be handed in and
that will be that.

Can sleep loss cause cholesterol weirdness?

Todd Moody
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