Feinsinger column: Aligning your lifestyle with your body’s natural biorhythms

Dr. Michael Greger’s book “How Not to Diet” sheds light on the importance of circadian rhythms in maintaining optimal health. Our bodies have evolved over billions of years to follow the natural cycle of light and dark, and this internal clock influences various aspects of our well-being.

Chronobiology, the study of innate body rhythms, has gained recognition with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for unraveling the molecular mechanisms of our internal circadian clocks. These rhythms govern essential functions such as eating, fasting, sleeping, and wakefulness, impacting digestion, body temperature, blood pressure, hormone levels, and the immune system. Even our gut microbiome operates on its own circadian rhythm.

The timing of certain health interventions can significantly affect their outcomes. For instance, properly timed chemotherapy can be more effective and less toxic, blood pressure pills taken at bedtime can lead to better control and fewer cardiovascular events, and consuming more calories in the morning can promote weight loss and improve metabolic markers.

On the flip side, disruptions to our natural biorhythms can have detrimental effects on health. Night shift workers, for example, experience higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer due to their altered sleep and eating patterns. Jet lag from traveling across time zones and social jet lag from inconsistent sleep schedules also contribute to health issues like obesity.

One striking example of chronodisruption is the impact of artificial light on our sleep patterns. Exposure to blue light from fluorescent and LED sources in the evening can suppress the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, leading to sleep disturbances and overall health consequences.

Understanding and aligning with our circadian rhythms can have profound implications for our health and well-being. By respecting our body’s natural clock and making lifestyle adjustments to support it, we can optimize our metabolic functions, improve our sleep quality, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Dr. Greger’s insights highlight the intricate connection between our internal clocks and overall health, emphasizing the importance of honoring our innate biorhythms for a healthier and more balanced life. As we continue to delve deeper into the field of chronobiology, we uncover new ways to harness the power of our internal clocks for improved vitality and longevity.