Circadian rhythms: What's this all about?

Do you ever wonder how to increase your energy, fat loss and overall health? The body is a good place to start looking. Research shows that our bodies can provide clues to help us keep healthy. Chronobiology refers to the study of circadian rhythms.

WHAT'S THE CIRCADIAN HYTHM?

Circadian rhythms can be described as natural, inborn and bodily, psychological, and behavioral events that take place in our bodies on a daily basis. They are based on our 24-hour internal clock. Every organ in the body has a clock. Our stomach clock controls when our stomach digests and when it stops. The clock in our skin determines when the skin needs to be repaired. The circadian rhythm is simply your body's 24-hour clock that determines when certain events occur in order to maintain health. Nature has a special advantage that allows organisms, rather than reacting to the events, to anticipate or anticipate sunrise and sunset. It is the reason we feel alert, hungry, and tired at specific times of day.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?

The internal work schedule that you follow is known as the Circadian rhythm. It is a biological process that influences the sleep-wake cycles of nearly all living things. You can become predisposed for a number of diseases by disrupting the natural cycle. Obesity is increased by eating and sleeping in a way that doesn't align with the circadian rhythm. This can lead to obesity and metabolic diseases. The body also needs to rest and recharge to avoid becoming obese. Being aware of your internal body clocks, and living in harmony to the circadian rhythms will help you manage both your short-term and long term fat loss as well your energy levels. To maximize fat loss and energy, it is important to align your sleep and food patterns with your body's circadian rhythm.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO DO IT?

The sun sets the circadian rhythm. The brain's circadian rhythm connects to the outside through the light that hits our eyes. The special protein melanopsin in our eyes senses blue light. It tells the body whether it is morning or night. Melanopsin is able to sense blue light because it's rich in sunlight. When sunlight hits our eyes, the suprachiasmatic node (SCN) detects that it is daylight. This signals to the brain that it is time to get out and do something. Our brain's circadian rhythm releases melatonin at nights and tells it when it is time for sleep. The sun rises and melatonin drops, waking us. The rhythm requires us to eat at night when the sun is shining, and during the day when it's dark.

Is OUR MODERN LIFESTYLE COMING TO MY CIRCADIAN ROHYTHM?

It is simple: Yes. Blue light from indoor lights, tablets, TVs, computers, phones and televisions can increase alertness. It stimulates the melanopsin, which is responsible for the modern problem. Blue light is something we are not meant to be exposed to. Electrical blue emitting lighting has been available for us only in the past 150 years. This confuses our brain about the time of day and night. This keeps us awake, and can lead to poor-quality sleep. It also decreases the production of melanin and disrupts our sleeping cycle, which in turn affects our body's rejuvenation and efficiency. Just like nature's rhythm, the internal clock of your body must work with this rhythm to maintain mental clarity, good moods and proper hormone secretion timing.

3 WAYS TO ADOPT CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE

Keep your circadian rhythm and body clocks in sync by learning how to manage blue lights, timing your meals , mastering your sleep & -wake habits. Blue light blocking glasses can help reduce the amount of blue light you are exposed to during the day. To help relax your nervous systems and get you ready for sleep, blue light blocking glasses are particularly helpful at night. You should have consistent sleep and wake timing. Research has shown that prolonged eating hours (6 am to 10pm) are not healthy for our health. Instead, a 10-hour-a-day eating schedule is best as it gives our bodies time to relax and recharge.

 

References:

https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/comments/S0960-9822(17)30623-1

https://www.today.com/health/what-circadian-rhythm-diet-how-eat-sun-t149238

Satchin Panda PhD, The Circadian Code - Lose Weight, Supercharge Energy and Transform Your Health From Morning to Midnight