Tag Archives: health

Exposure to Blue Light Leading to a Shortened Lifespan

Nowadays, lightbulbs are not the only reason our sleeping schedules are affected but the blue light emitting from our screens also plays a huge role in keeping us up once it becomes dark outside. With the amount of technology used daily, whether it involves completing an assignment on our laptops or checking social media multiple times throughout the day could be the leading cause to accelerated aging.

Blue Light Affecting Eyes via Screens in Dark Room
Image Source: Allure | Getty Images

A Bright Idea

Before lightbulbs were invented life was simple, and people would go to bed as soon as the sun went down. The effect light has on our health is often disregarded when in fact it’s critical to understand. Who thought such a small artifact present all around us could lead to detrimental effects? However, light is necessary for life and is an aspect which changed the world. Therefore, understanding the history behind the lightbulb is important as the following video produced by Neha Barjatya describes.

Out of Our Sight

In particular to light, humans are exposed to an increasing amount of blue-light produced through light emitting diodes (LED) every day. Recent research conducted at Oregon State University suggests that even though light may not be reaching our eyes directly, blue wavelengths have the ability to reach our brains and retinas that further damage cells.

In the specific study conducted by researcher Jaga Giebultowicz and colleagues, flies exposed to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness exhibited having shorter lifespans when compared to flies that stayed in complete darkness throughout a 24-hour period. The Drosophila melanogaster are common fruit flies and useful model organisms as their cellular and developmental mechanisms are similar to humans and other animals. When exposed to blue-light their retinal cells and neurons had impaired locomotion as they were not able to partake in common behaviour of being able to climb the enclosures walls. When mutant flies without eyes were looked at, they seemed to display the same impairments, suggesting that the simple presence of blue light wavelengths are harmful.

Further analysis on light spectrums showed that without the blue, lifespan only shortened slightly; it was only once blue light was added that there were drastic shortages.  Although, Giebultowicz whom specializes in analyzing the bodies biological clock claims that natural light is critical for the bodies circadian rhythm as it allows for physiological processes such as brain wave activity, hormone production and cell regeneration to occur. She continues to state, “if given a choice, avoid blue light”.

A Future Without Blue-Light?

With many cures found for diseases within the past century, human lifespan has already increased significantly even though we continue to use increased amounts of artificial light. Humans in general are often driven to focus on ways to increase lifespan through acting healthier. And with advanced science always proving to provide methods that design better health spectrums for the population, there is no doubt eliminating blue light may become a solution for the future. As of now though, researchers recommend setting device screens to block blue emissions for longer living!

Written By: Sana Furqan

Weekend catch-up sleep is not the cure we hoped it to be

 

Header image

Image by Free-Photos on Pixabay

Most of us have probably caught ourselves fantasizing about the best part of the weekend – sleeping in. After a hectic and crazed work week, our sleep-deprived states eagerly await the feeling of refreshment that comes along with those extra hours of shut-eye. However, recent evidence found by Depner and his colleagues in an early 2019 study shows that paying back our sleep debt on the weekends still come with a health cost.

The effects of sleep deprivation

On a basic level, we all know (and feel) that an insufficient amount of sleep leads to health complications. There have been numerous studies and data to support that people who fail to get enough sleep are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, along with a plethora of other health-related issues such as mood disorders and decreased immune function, all of which are documented in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The following video by TechInsider, featuring professor of neuroscience and psychology Matthew Walker, goes more into depth about the effects of sleep deprivation on the brain and body.

Sleeping more on the weekends cost us

To combat these potential health risks, most people try to get more sleep on the weekends in order to boost up their daily sleep average, which is currently recommended to be between 7-9 hours for adults. Unfortunately for those of us who do, the paper published by Depner and his colleagues in Current Biology shows that “weekend recovery sleep” is not an effective strategy in combating sleep deprivation. In fact, the paper points out that these extra sleep hours may increase weight gain, promote excess caloric intake, and negatively impact how the body handles insulin.

On another note, a study published in Stress and Health in 2010 found that maintaining a consistent sleeping pattern proves to be beneficial for us, and that getting those extra hours on the weekend alone are not enough to combat sleep deprivation as they may disrupt our internal clocks, making it even harder for us to fall asleep and to wake up.

What we can do to combat sleep deprivation

Since getting extra sleep on the weekends is not our cure to sleep deprivation, the best we can do for now is to try and maintain consistent sleep schedules by distributing that extra sleep we would get on the weekends to weekday nights.

Sandra Yoo

Sept 29, 2019

Revised Oct. 21, 2019

A Solution to the Rise in Obesity

We all care about our health to a certain extent! It’s not surprising that in a world filled with McDonalds XXL portion sizes and an unlimited amount of unhealthy fast food options that over the past few decades there has been an increase in the rate of obesity. Obesity can be labelled as a medical condition where an individual carries extra weight or body fat which could have significant impacts on their health.

Body Mass Index: Numerical values are indicated by BMI = Body Mass/Height
Image Source: Vector Stock
Artist: MicroOne

With growing concern about obesity due to the risks it implements, it’s important that we take actions to prevent it from spreading and causing severe health problems for many individuals around the world. Health risks associated with obesity include heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases; as well as other disorders that are yet to be identified.

The Gut Bacteria That Could Cure All

At the University of Utah health department, researchers have recently identified a class of 20-30 bacterium in the gut known as Clostridia which protects mice against becoming obese. The study suggests that the same bacteria also controls weight gain within humans. If we are able to alter the amount of Clostridia present in the gut, this could mean a whole new lifestyle for many.

Specifically, in the observational study, Ph.D. June Round has claimed that healthy mice have lots of Clostridia, whereas those with impaired immune systems lose the bacteria’s as they age hence weight gain. Even when unhealthy mice with minimal Clostridia are fed a healthy diet, they tend to become obese. However, when the mice were reinjected with Clostridia, they are able to maintain slimness.

Clostridia in Healthy and Unhealthy Mice Gut
Image Source: Science Mag

Results gained from the study found that Clostridia prevents weight gain through blocking the intestine from absorbing any fat consumed. In particular there are a couple molecules produced by Clostridia that prevent the fat absorption and further isolation of these molecules could lead to treatments for obesity. Additionally, it was established that our immune systems also play a key role in maintaining balance among the diverse bacteria present within the gut. If the bodies defence system is weak, some bacterial species are able to dominate and shift health towards a negative direction. It is critical for the immune system to operate and recognize specific bacteria appropriately in order to produce proper antibodies.

What Could This Mean For Us, Humans?

Considering humans display to have Clostridia within the gut as well, research concluded that the lack of this bacterium in humans leads to obesity as well as type 2 diabetes. With more mirroring and understanding the connections that underlie from mice to human there is hope for our world. New treatments will provide individuals, like ourselves to hopefully be at less risk from the treats we consume.

Written By: Sana Furqan