A Recent study suggests that artificial light at night might be disturbing to our circadian cell division, and this can be a potential cause for cancer.
A study conducted by Prof. Charalambos P. Kyriacou of the University of Leicester and Dr. Rachel Ben-Shlomo of the University of Haifa-Oranim propose that a single “pulse†of an artificial light during the night can negatively affect our circadian cell division.
According to Dr. Ben-Shlomo, damage to cell division is a common feature of cancer. It is thus essential to understand the precursors for this particular damage.
The study was conducted by placing lab mice in a predefined environment where their exposure to light was regulated. They had 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light. However, one group was given one hour of artificial light during the dark hours. This triggered a modification in the gene expression of the rodents’ brain cells.
Previous studies conducted by Dr. Ben-Shlomo had already proven that cells’ biological clock is influenced by artificial light exposure. However, the current research showed that the cell division as well as various gene transcriptions are affected. She noted that several of these genes affected are associated with both the genes fighting against cancer and those involved in developing cancer.
In other words, the lost of sleep during one night can negatively lead to cellular pathways that affect tissues, cause DNA damage or inflammation. The body views lack of sleep as stress, and we know that stress can lead to the inducement of fatal chemicals. The deprivation of sleep during a single day can significantly impair your physical and mental functions. However, one night is singular but during several days of lacking sleep the effect becomes cumulative.
Clinical studies involving brain scans have proven that sleep deprivation can induce stress, irrationality; mood swings, blood pressure, energy disorder, impair memory and mental abilities. The most dramatic thing is that it is hard to admit or notice that sleep is the cause of all these cumulative deteriorations of overall health.
It is even certain that insufficient sleep is a precursor for diabetes, weak immune system, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, stroke and heart disease. Those who sleep for only 4 to 6 hours can suffer from cumbersomeness in thinking. It can even cause psychiatric disorder, as most people who lack sleep suffer from similar symptoms.
To reduce the aging effect, adequate sleep is important. These various negative effects of sleep deprivation should be enough for you to increase your hours of quality sleep. If not, note that lack of sleep can even make you a less dynamic lover.
Quality sleep is defined as undisturbed sleep which usually last for 7 to 8 hours at night. There are some people who require more while other needs less time to experience the same health benefits.
How to try to assure a rejuvenating sleep:
• Sleep on regulated time schedules
• Sleep early and wake up early.
• Do regularly exercise but not just before bed time.
• Do drink tea or coffee during the day and not in the evening
• Assure that the room you are sleeping is noise free.
• Make sure that the bedroom is dark.
• Stop drinking liquids late if you do regulated wake up to urinate during the night – assure to go to the toilet before bed time as well.
• Avoid alcohol at night as it tends to affect your sleep cycle.
• A warm bath is appropriate before going to sleep.
• Assure that the bedroom is at a temperature below 70 degrees F.
• Relax yourself one hour before sleeping, so stop work early
• Listen to relaxing music or practice some relaxation techniques.
• There are various medications or supplements that can help you to sleep such as melatonin; herbs helping to sleep like chamomile, kava valerian or ziziphus spinosa, calcium citrate tablets of 200 to 500 mg as well as 200 to 400 mgs of magnesium citrate.
Source:Â max life by David Kekich
