All the tissues in your body produce waste products that need to be cleared away.

Your brain is no exception.

Most of the brain’s housecleaning is performed by the glymphatic [GLIME-fatt-ick] system, a series of channels and vessels where cerebrospinal fluid circulates, flushing waste products away.

Among those waste products is a protein molecule called amyloid [AMM-uh-loyd] beta. This molecule sometimes comes in misshapen forms that can clump together and accumulate on neuron cells, the building blocks of the nervous system. This situation is believed to kill neurons and contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and fatal neurological disorder.

So, it makes sense to optimize the brain’s self-cleaning function.

Scientists know that the glymphatic system is more active during sleep, because the brain cavities expand and allow more fluid exchange at that time.

A study published recently in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that the posture we take during sleep could play a role in glymphatic system activity as well.

In rats, at least, the system is most active when the animals lie on their sides during sleep.

In the study, scientists arranged for rats to sleep in one of three postures — on the back, belly or side.

Surgical examination showed that the rats experienced the greatest fluid circulation when sleeping on their sides.

So, the researchers postulated that people might be able to fight Alzheimer’s disease development by sleeping on their sides.

Obviously, more research is needed. People aren’t built like rats, for one thing.

If you have questions about your sleeping posture, or the quality of your sleep, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you get all 40 winks you deserve.