In a world that never sleeps, the circadian rhythm serves as our internal timekeeper, finely tuning the balance between day and night. Join me on a journey through the rhythm of the night and how it influences our nightly rest and overall health.
The circadian rhythm serves as a 24-hour internal clock within our brain, governing alternating cycles of alertness and sleepiness through responsiveness to variations in light within our surroundings. Our physiological responses and behaviors are intricately shaped by the Earth's rotation on its axis. This biological circadian system has developed to aid humans in adjusting to environmental shifts and predicting alterations in factors like radiation, temperature, and food accessibility. With this circadian clock, we humans would not be able to efficiently manage energy expenditure and regulate the internal physiological processes of the body.
There are several identified clock genes, BMAL1/BMAL2, CRY1/CRY2, PER1/PER2/PER3. These genes regulate and control transcription and translation. When these clock genes are expressed, they can influence pathways that allow the cells to identify the time of day and perform appropriate function.
In our world today, artificial lighting and a 24/7 lifestyle have become the norm, making the circadian rhythm face unprecedented challenges. Electronic devices emitting blue light, irregular schedules, and the hustle and bustle of the streets can throw off our internal clocks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy schedule, leading to a healthy circadian rhythm.
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