circadian rhythms Archives - Amazing Health Advances

These Harmful Pesticides Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

AHA Publisher — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:00:59 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – A couple of weeks ago, I told you the EPA and the FDA gave Bayer Pharmaceuticals the greenlight to keep selling the weed killer Roundup… They did this even though multiple studies show that chemical herbicides and pesticides are linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. And now, a recent study has clearly linked these toxins to type 2 diabetes. In a brand-new study that examined farmers who use organophosphates — the most commonly used pesticides — the results couldn’t be more clear… “The prevalence of diabetes was positively associated with exposure to all types of pesticides and insecticides.”1 Another study proved that chemicals found in common insecticides and pesticides are also key diabetes triggers and may be responsible for hundreds of thousands of diabetes-related deaths every year. The researchers found that two chemicals, in particular, carbaryl and carbofuran, bind to the receptors on your cells that govern your biological clock. And this can lead directly to diabetes.2 Let me explain… Although it’s illegal in several countries, carbaryl is the third most widely used insecticide in the U.S. Carbofuran, the most toxic carbamate insecticide has been banned in the U.S. since 2009. But it’s still widely used in places where we import a lot of our produce, like Mexico and Brazil. Carbaryl and carbofuran are what are known as “POPs” — persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals don’t biodegrade easily, so they stay in the environment for a long time. But here’s where the diabetes connection comes into play… Researchers found that both carbaryl and carbofuran are structurally similar to melatonin. That’s the hormone that controls your body’s circadian rhythm – or internal clock. And your circadian rhythm does much more than controlling your sleep cycles. It also controls the metabolism of some brain-wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration, and other biological activities, including glucose levels and insulin secretion — key factors in type 2 diabetics. There’s a very delicate balance between the release of insulin from your pancreas and glucose levels in your blood, at very specific times of the day. Studies show that if the balance gets disrupted for long periods of time, it can trigger the development of diabetes.3 That’s exactly what the insecticides carbaryl and carbofuran do. They mimic melatonin and wreak havoc with your circadian rhythms. This disruption of your body’s natural circadian rhythm substantially raises your risk of diabetes. Along with a whole host of other diseases including: Heart disease Stroke Respiratory problems Depression Breast, prostate, and colon cancer Obesity Eat These 3 Superfoods to Flush Pesticides From Your Body In a recent letter, I shared how to protect yourself from the deadliest pesticide of all time. The next step in protecting yourself is to get rid of the toxic accumulation of chemicals in your body. One great way to do this is by detoxifying superfoods. Foods rich in vitamin C like fruits, berries, and fresh vegetables will help do the trick, along with fiber-rich nuts and seeds. But some foods are superstars when it comes to flushing the toxins from your system: Make grapefruit your citrus of choice. Grapefruit contains naringenin, a potent antioxidant that decreases your body’s insulin resistance to help prevent diabetes and reprogram your liver to melt excess fat, instead of storing it. This is extremely important for detoxification because insecticide toxins like carbaryl and carbofuran tend to collect in the fat around your tissues. Eating grapefruit will help you stop this process. Eat the oldest food on earth. Spirulina is a kind of blue-green algae and the world’s richest source of vitamins, minerals, iron, protein, and a host of other nutrients. But, it’s also a powerful detoxifier. Go green with barley grass. This superfood is made up of unique amino acid chains. And it’s so well balanced, it has the EXACT blend of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that you need for optimum health. The major contributors behind its detoxification powers are the trace elements zinc, selenium, and copper. High levels of beta-carotene energize the cleansing of waste materials such as mucus and crystallized acids, and it has a powerful detoxifying effect on your liver. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Juntarawijit, C, et al. “Association between diabetes and pesticides: a case-control study among Thai farmers.” Environ Health Prev Med. 2018; 23: 3 2. Popovska-Gorevski M, Dubocovich ML, et al. “Carbamate Insecticides Target Human Melatonin Receptors.” Chem Res Toxicol. 2017. 3. Bouatia-Naji N,, Bonnefond A, et al. “A variant near MTNR1B is associated with increased fasting plasma glucose levels and type 2 diabetes risk.” Nat Gen. 41, 89 – 94; 7 Dec 2008. To read the original article click here.

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Night Owls Face Greater Risk of Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

AHA Publisher — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 07:18:11 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – You may have heard the saying attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” However, not everyone likes to go to bed early. Some people are “early birds,” while others tend to be “night owls.” Yet, new information published in Experimental Physiology suggests that being an early riser could decrease your risk of some chronic diseases. The research indicates that “night owls” may actually be at higher risk of diabetes and heart disease. Are “Night Owls” at Greater Risk of Chronic Disease? The recent research, completed at Rutgers University in New Jersey, evaluated participants according to what times of day they preferred to sleep or be active. Researchers looked at factors like body mass and composition, insulin sensitivity, and fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Study participants ate a controlled diet so that diet would not alter the study results. They were subsequently monitored over the course of a week. Researchers measured the participants’ fuel preferences, which refers to whether their bodies favored carbohydrates or fats as energy fuel. To gather this information, researchers performed tests at rest and then during two bouts of exercise. The “night owl” group of participants exhibited a propensity to use carbohydrates instead of fats and also showed signs of insulin resistance. Furthermore, the “early birds” demonstrated higher aerobic fitness levels. Why Night Owls May Face a Greater Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes The study findings are concerning for those of us who prefer to stay up late. People in the “early bird” category like to rise and be active earlier in the day. Researchers found that these people were more likely to use fat as an energy source and use insulin more efficiently. For night owls, the trouble lies in the metabolic differences. The impaired insulin response shown by the night owl group puts them at a higher risk of developing two dangerous chronic conditions – cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While the reason for the metabolic disparity between early birds and night owls remains unclear, researchers believe it may be related to the body’s circadian rhythms. These natural sleep/wake cycles appear to play some role in how the body uses insulin, contributing to higher disease risk in some people. How to Sleep Better and Stay Healthier Given the study findings, it may be worth paying attention to Benjamin Franklin’s words after all. Additionally, those who stay up late often miss out on valuable parts of the natural sleep cycle. Your deepest sleep occurs earlier in the night instead of later. In fact, sleeping between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am are the most restorative for your body. Consequently, your sleep will tend to be less restorative when you stay up very late, missing out on this vital cycle. So how can you get the most out of your precious sleeping hours? For one, minimize light from screens, caffeine, and alcohol late in the evening to help your mind and body better prepare for sleep. You’ll also find it quite helpful to expose yourself to the night by going outside for 30 – 60 minutes. This will help you to “settle down” after a stressful day. Putting your bare feet on the ground will give you added benefits for a good night’s sleep. Of course, getting enough exercise – on a regular basis – will help. And get up a bit earlier, so you’re ready for bed sooner. Sources for this article include: MedicalXpress.com To read the original article click here.

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New UCI-Led Study Finds Links Between Circadian Rhythms, Metabolism and Addiction

AHA Publisher — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 07:00:58 +0000

University of California, Irvine via Newswise – Irvine, Calif., March 11, 2022 — A new University of California, Irvine-led study establishes important conceptual connections between the fields of circadian rhythms, metabolism, and addiction. Going beyond current studies on substance use disorders, which focus on the impact of addictive drugs on the brain, this new research highlights an existing connection between specific neurons and peripheral organs. The study, titled “Dopamine D2 receptor signaling in the brain modulates circadian liver metabolomic profiles,” was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Our findings provide a link to substance use disorders and metabolic dysfunctions,” explained Emiliana Borrelli, PhD, professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at UCI School of Medicine who, for this study, collaborated with the late Paolo Sassone-Corsi, PhD, professor of Biological Chemistry at UCI. “Through our research we explored how the disruption of normal neuronal functions affects metabolic activity and may move the body to an altered state away from homeostasis, which could contribute to the drug seeking behaviors exhibited by people with substance use disorders.” By analyzing the liver metabolome of mice deficient in the expression of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in striatal medium spiny neurons, the researchers found profound changes in the liver circadian metabolome compared to control mice. In addition, they found that activation of dopaminergic circuits by acute cocaine administration reprograms the circadian liver metabolome. “D2R signaling in medium spiny neurons is key for striatal output and is essential for regulating the first response to the cellular and rewarding effects of cocaine,” said Borrelli. “Thus, our results suggest that changes in dopamine signaling in specific striatal neurons evoke major changes in liver physiology. Dysregulation of liver metabolism could contribute to an altered allostatic state and therefore be involved in continued use of drugs.” The circadian clock is tightly intertwined with metabolism and relies heavily on multifaceted interactions between organ systems to maintain proper timing. Genetic and/or environmental causes can disrupt communication between organs and alter rhythmic activities. Substance use leads to altered dopamine signaling followed by reprogramming of circadian gene expression and metabolism in the reward system. This study shows that dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) play a key role in regulating diurnal liver metabolic activities. In addition, drugs that increase dopamine levels, such as cocaine, disrupt circadian metabolic profiles in the liver, which is exacerbated by loss of D2R signaling in MSNs. These results uncover a strict communication between neurons/brain areas and liver metabolism as well as the association between substance use and systemic deficits,” said Borrelli. Substance use disorders affect millions of people worldwide. The rewarding properties of substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, opioids, and psychostimulants, are linked to their ability to increase dopamine levels in brain areas that control emotions and induce pleasure. Drug intake modifies neuronal plasticity and is at the start of the process of addiction, which leads vulnerable individuals to continually seek and abuse these substances despite the adverse consequences on their lives. This study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health under Award Number DA035600 and by the French Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM). Future studies will examine whether the alterations in the specific metabolites identified in this study contribute to susceptibility to drug use. To read the original article click here.

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Exciting Potential: How to IMPROVE Your Brain Function with Melatonin

AHA Publisher — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 08:00:01 +0000

Lori Alton via Naturalhealth365 – According to a recent report published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Journal, Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth leading cause of death in the United States – claimed over 121,000 lives in 2019 alone, before the pandemic had swept the nation. Alzheimer’s disease claimed over 121,000 lives in 2019 alone, before the pandemic had swept the nation Meanwhile, the Alzheimer’s Association has released a sobering new statistic – deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have increased by a significant 16 percent since the onset of COVID-19. However, a natural intervention for the condition is casting a ray of hope. In a recent review article in the peer-reviewed journal Revue Neurologique, researchers report that the natural hormone melatonin shows exciting potential to prevent and even alleviate neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In fact, the impressed scientists even concluded that “melatonin may be the solution we have been looking for.” Why are they so hopeful about the neuroprotective effects of melatonin? Let’s find out. Melatonin Sharpens Memory and Increases Formation of New Brain Cells Melatonin, commonly known as the “sleep hormone,” is produced in the pineal gland in the brain. This critical hormone regulates the circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle while improving the overall quality of sleep. Researchers have long believed that melatonin may improve memory and cognition. And, the “proof is in the pudding.” In an older – but still influential – placebo-controlled study published in Psychopharmacology, 50 young men were given a one-time, 3-mg dose of melatonin. The effects were rapid, unequivocal, and clear-cut, with participants in the melatonin group able to recall more objects from a memorized list than those in the placebo group! The researchers concluded that melatonin could suppress the stress-induced hormones that affect memory processing. But does melatonin work for older individuals? Neuroprotective Effects of Melatonin May Improve Alzheimer’s Disease While melatonin exists in generous amounts in young people, it appears that supplies decrease with age. The review authors noted that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower melatonin levels than healthy people of the same age – and that melatonin deficiency may play a vital role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Raising melatonin levels in the body may not only combat age-related memory decline and cognitive impairment – but, the neuroprotective effects of melatonin may help slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists point out that almost half of all Alzheimer’s patients have problems with sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with increased plaque deposits of beta-amyloid, a protein strongly implicated in the development of the disease. Melatonin promotes the type of refreshing sleep needed for efficient brain function and accurate memory, with clinical studies supporting the ability of the hormone to slow the progression of cognitive disorders. Melatonin Improves Brain Function Through Multiple Mechanisms The neuroprotective effects of melatonin can be attributed to many factors. Melatonin appears to cushion the brain from the effects of “stress” hormones – such as epinephrine, cortisol, and norepinephrine – which can impair memory. It also increases levels of a protein known as a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases the formation of neurons. In addition, cell studies have shown that melatonin improves plasticity, the ability of the brain to change and adapt to new experiences. Finally, melatonin is a potent antioxidant that scavenges harmful free radicals (reactive oxygen species) that would otherwise cause oxidative stress and damage to cells and tissues, thereby triggering disease. Impressively, studies have shown that melatonin can even help to counter damage from memory-impairing drugs, including the chemotherapy drug fluorouracil and the anti-nausea medication scopolamine. Researchers theorize that melatonin achieved this by promoting cell division in the hippocampus, the brain’s “memory center.” Improve Sleep and Cognition with Melatonin Natural health experts advise using a high-quality melatonin formulation from a reputable vendor, with typical amounts ranging between 0.5 mg and 10 mg a day. To promote restful sleep, melatonin should be taken about 30 minutes before bedtime. However, if you take melatonin to correct out-of-sync circadian rhythms over the long term, it should be taken two to three hours before bedtime. Naturally, check with your integrative doctor before supplementing with melatonin. As a “pro” tip: The amino acid tryptophan is needed for the body to produce melatonin. You can raise your dietary intake of tryptophan with raw cheese, pasture-raised organic chicken, pumpkin seeds, and wild caught fish. In addition to the devastating human toll of Alzheimer’s disease – such as loss of precious memories and the ability to function independently – the financial burden of this illness is staggering. In fact, the national cost for Alzheimer’s and other dementias in 2021 is expected to clock in at $355 billion. No doubt, the relatively inexpensive, non-toxic, convenient, and safe choice of consuming melatonin may well emerge as an effective natural intervention for this cruel health issue. Sources for this article include: Alzheimers.org NIH.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Low Levels of BPA Exposure Can Affect Prenatal Brain Development

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:00:11 +0000

University of Calgary via News-Medical – Humans are exposed to a bath of chemicals every day. They are in the beds where we sleep, the cars that we drive and the kitchens we use to feed our families. With thousands of chemicals floating around in our environment, exposure to any number is practically unavoidable. Through the work of researchers like Dr. Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, the implications of many of these chemicals are being thoroughly explored. “Manufacturers follow standards set by regulatory bodies, it’s not up to the manufacturers to prove the chemicals in consumer products are safe,” says Kurrasch, a researcher in the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) and Alberta Children’s Research Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine. “Scientists play a critical role and do the meticulous work of determining where the risks lie.” Kurrasch’s research over the past decade has focused on a chemical that is broadly recognizable: Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. This chemical is commonly found in plastics, canned food linings, and even thermal receipts. Studies from Kurrasch’s lab contribute to the collective research that shows the harms of exposure to this industrial compound. The latest study out of Kurrasch’s lab, published in Science Advances, suggests that continued vigilance is needed. A postdoctoral researcher in her lab, Dr. Dinu Nesan, PhD, examined the impact of low levels of BPA exposure to pregnant mice and the brain development of their offspring. “Our goal was to model BPA levels equivalent to what pregnant women and developing babies are typically exposed to. We purposefully did not use a high dose. In fact, our doses were 11-times and nearly 25-times lower than those deemed safe by Health Canada and the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), respectively. Even at these low levels, we saw effects on prenatal brain development in the mice.” Dr. Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, Researcher, University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) Using this BPA exposure model, Nesan found striking changes to the brain region responsible for driving circadian rhythms, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus. When prenatally exposed to these low levels of BPA, the suprachiasmatic nucleus failed to develop properly. This change can have implications for sleep, activity levels, and other behaviours. “Previously we showed embryonic exposure to low-dose BPA can affect the timing of when neurons develop in zebrafish, but it was unclear whether a similar effect would be observed in a mammalian model with more similarities to humans,” says Nesan, first author on the study. When neurons develop, they rely on proper signals to guide them. If neurons develop too early, the cues they experience are different, which can lead to developmental errors such as migrating to the wrong location, becoming the wrong type of neuron, or forming inappropriate connections. These errors can lead to altered behaviors later in life. “Our study shows that in pregnant mice, prenatal exposure to BPA affects the timing of neuron development in the fetal brain, which has lasting effects on behaviours. Offspring that are exposed to BPA during gestation are awake longer and exhibit hyperactivity. The prenatal BPA exposure seems to change the brain’s circadian cues, causing the animals to have elevated energy levels and spend less time resting,” says Nesan. The researchers are hopeful their findings will add continued pressure on regulatory bodies to keep revisiting their determinations around safe levels of BPA. “We think there’s an incredible abundance of data showing BPA exposure guidelines are not yet at the appropriate level, which includes even the EU (European Union) who is leading on this front, but their ‘safe’ levels are still twice the dose we used in our study” says Kurrasch, “We hope our research serves as a reminder that low dose BPA is still capable of causing changes that are measurable and significant.” Her message of how to interpret this research is simple: Limit your exposure to BPA the best you can. Maintain smart practices with plastics in your kitchen, for example not heating them, and using glass or stainless steel when possible. This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Michael Antle, PhD, professor of psychology and member of the HBI. To read the original article click here.

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Online Learning Doesn’t Improve Student Sleep Habits, Research Suggests

AHA Publisher — Tue, 11 May 2021 07:00:41 +0000

Simon Fraser University via EurekAlert – New research from Simon Fraser University suggests that students learning remotely become night owls but do not sleep more despite the time saved commuting, working or attending social events. The study, led by psychology professor Ralph Mistlberger, Andrea Smit and Myriam Juda, at SFU’s Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Lab, compared self-reported data on sleep habits from 80 students enrolled in a 2020 summer session course at SFU with data collected from 450 students enrolled in the same course during previous summer semesters. The study results were recently published in the journal PLOS ONE. “There is a widespread belief among sleep researchers that many people, especially young adults, regularly obtain insufficient sleep due to work, school, and social activities,” says Mistlberger. “The move toward remote work and school during COVID-19 has provided a novel opportunity to test this belief.” The student participants kept daily sleep diaries over a period of two-to-eight weeks, completed questionnaires and provided written reports. Fitbit sleep tracker data was collected from a subsample of participants. The team found that students learning remotely in the summer 2020 session went to bed an average of 30 minutes later than pre-pandemic students. They slept less efficiently, less at night and more during the day, but did not sleep more overall despite having no early classes and 44 per cent fewer work days compared to students in previous semesters. “One very consistent finding is a collective delay of sleep timing – people go to bed and wake up later,” says Mistlberger. “Not surprisingly, there is also a marked reduction in natural light exposure, especially early in the day. The lack of change in sleep duration was a bit of a surprise, as it goes against the assumption that young adults would sleep more if they had the time.” Self-described night owls were more likely to report a greater positive impact on their sleep, getting to sleep in, instead of waking up early for that morning class, while morning types were more likely to report a negative response to sleeping later than usual. Sleep plays an important role in immune functioning and mental health, which is why good sleep habits are crucial. “My advice for students and anybody working from home is to try to get outside and be active early in the day because the morning light helps stabilize your circadian sleep-wake cycle – this should improve your sleep, and allow you to feel more rested and energized during the day,” says Mistlberger. To read the original article click here.

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