What is Circadian Rhythm? Our Body’s Invisible Cycle
The waves and magnetic energy generated by the Earth’s 24-hour rotation around its axis not only affect the materials, but also the balance and functioning of our body. In short, it is possible to define it as a cycle of biochemical, physiological, operational and biological fluctuations and changes that occur during the rotation of the earth. If this cycle circadian rhythm It is known as.
Circadian systems are not stray balances, they are in a state of interaction and solidarity with the universe, humans and nature. It is also possible to define this balance as our body’s organic clock. It is possible to see this structure through chronically repeating cycles in our body.
Sleep-wake state, blood pressure, cardiac performance, growth hormone, secretion of sleep hormone and the combination of various hormones. Circadian rhythm biologically includes such rhythms. So what affects circadian rhythm? Let’s look at it together.
What Factors Affect Circadian Rhythm?
Light is one of the factors that most affects circadian rhythm. Artificial elements such as phone light that we are frequently exposed to in daily life, intense light in shopping malls and computer light can disrupt the light rhythm balance. Another important factor that affects circadian rhythm is sleep.
Disruptions in our sleep disrupt the rhythm. secreted for sleep melatonin The hormone is secreted between 21:00 and 22.00 until 03.00-04.00. Not sleeping between these hours disrupts this rhythm. Temperature is another influencing factor.
In extreme heat, the body’s sweat balance may be disrupted or excessive tanning may occur, causing some changes and damage to the skin. Extremely low temperatures cause the body to over-contract itself and slow down the body’s balance.
Sleep and Nutrition are Extremely Important
Nutrition is one of the primary factors that provide a rhythm that keeps our body in balance. We survive with nutrition as our main energy source. Disruption of this nutritional balance causes the circadian rhythm to deviate, meaning the body’s clock may go wrong. While the work of enzymes is tied to a certain time, that is, the person has established a routine with his diet, any deviation from this balance also distorts the circadian rhythm.
Such deviations and nutritional changes can lead to extreme thinness and extreme obesity. Deviating sleep hours and not being asleep during the time period when melatonin is secreted will lead to deviations in sleep and therefore deviations and changes in nutrition. Accordingly, it will lead to consequences such as loss of appetite, diabetes and weight loss.
Under What Conditions Can Circadian Rhythm Be Disrupted?
- Insomnia,
- Irregular nutrition,
- Heavy drugs and radiation,
- Menopause and Andropause,
- psychological problems,
- Exposure to insufficient light or excessive light.
What Can We Do to Maintain Circadian Rhythm?
We said that the most important factors that ensure the balance of the body are nutrition and sleep. Therefore, two main elements will keep the Circadian rhythm alive. That’s why we should be extremely careful about our sleeping hours, sleeping in the dark is very important in this context. Sleeping during the hours when melatonin hormones are secreted also positively affects growth and development.
We must avoid exposure to radiation and harmful energy waves. In addition, some harmful rays received from the fingertips of touch-sensitive phones can kill the cells at the fingertips and adversely change blood pressure.
Exposure to chemical structures and chronic exposure to industrial products while cleaning are other factors that disrupt the balance. In addition, alcohol and cigarette consumption disrupts the balance of the lungs, heart and liver. We should stay away from these as much as possible and rely on natural products and listen to the setting of our body clock.
Is There a Treatment for Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
If a person with a circadian rhythm disorder focuses on some abnormal trends in himself, he can make some judgments by listening to himself. Individuals who have sleep problems can use medication in a dark room or with doctor’s approval. One of the treatment methods is to improve the diet and create healthier products and a more routine nutritional balance. Methods such as adjusting the carbohydrate balance and reducing nutrients such as sugar can be used. In this context, working with a dietitian will produce beneficial results and be positive for balance.
To summarize briefly, circadian rhythm somehow completes its daily cycle within 24 hours, based on biological and physiological factors in our body. The most important factors that affect this natural clock, which works like a clock in our body, are sleep and nutrition. It may not always be easy for people who are social creatures to maintain some balance.
Psychological factors and the environment we live in always affect our circadian rhythm. Therefore, they are in mutual communication. Although biological factors affect this natural clock of our body, psychological effects are also undeniably important. At this point, perhaps the most important option would be to listen to ourselves.
If we pay attention to the reactions of our body, it will not be difficult to see the things that are wrong with us, the routine element of the cycle. Just as life consists of night and day, there are also these two different aspects in human life. Sleep and wakefulness. Just as we become aware of ourselves when we are awake, it is extremely important to listen to the rhythm of our sleep at night. Because all these routines are part of the circadian rhythm. Our body is in connection with the universe.
If we become aware of this balance in our body, our self-awareness for our health will increase. This will lead us to accurate determinations on some points as we gain information about ourselves. Accurate determinations will enable us to reach a solution even earlier. Just as nothing in the universe is in vain, no reaction or correlation occurring in our body is in vain, and circadian rhythm is just one of these elements.