Blue Light
Episodes
In this clip, Dr. Matthew Walker explains how altering the timing and duration of daytime light exposure influences sleep.
In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda discusses factors that determine our daily energy fluctuations and how we can counteract low periods.
In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda describes how managing our indoor lighting can regulate circadian rhythms and counteract the detrimental health effects of our modern lifestyles.
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In this clip, Dr. Matthew Walker explains how altering the timing and duration of daytime light exposure influences sleep.
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In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda discusses factors that determine our daily energy fluctuations and how we can counteract low periods.
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In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda describes how managing our indoor lighting can regulate circadian rhythms and counteract the detrimental health effects of our modern lifestyles.
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In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda explains how light exposure affects the circadian clock and how dimming lights and avoiding devices in the evening allows melatonin to rise naturally.
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In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda summarizes tips and strategies that anyone can follow to ensure a healthy circadian clock.
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In this clip, Dr. Roger Seheult explains the different parts of sleep and the value of each phase.
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Dr. Charles Raison discusses how exposure to light during the day and maintaining a dark environment at night, is important in depression management.
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Dr. Matthew Walker describes the negative effects of blue light exposure on melatonin production and sleep.
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Dr. Matthew Walker describes critical factors that influence healthy sleep patterns, including the intake of caffeine, alcohol, and other substances.
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Nutrition Vitamin D Metabolism Diabetes Telomeres Omega-3 Inflammation Depression DNA Damage Stem Cells Micronutrients Mitochondria Autophagy Autism Schizophrenia Resveratrol Sulforaphane Insulin Blue LightDr. Rhonda Patrick makes her fifth appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
Topic Pages
News & Publications
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Excess artificial light exposure increases risk of obesity in preschool aged children www.sciencedaily.com
Artificial light exposure increases the risk for obesity among children. Light is the primary signal that entrains the body’s master clock to set its 24-hour circadian cycle. Consequently, the body is synchronized to external light-dark cycles. In recent decades, exposure to light from artificial sources (rather than natural ones) has increased, paralleling the global increases in obesity among adults. Findings from a 2016 study suggest that exposure to artificial light increases the risk for obesity among children.
Global health experts estimate that more than 42 million children under the age of five years have obesity, roughly one-fourth of whom live in developing nations. Obesity increases a person’s risk for developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. It also imposes considerable financial costs at the individual, healthcare system, and national level.
The study involved 48 preschool-aged children receiving daycare services in Australia. The investigators measured the children’s baseline body mass index (BMI), sleep duration and timing, light exposure, and physical activity levels via clinical assessment, parent questionnaires, and light and activity trackers. They repeated these measures 12 months later.
They found that at baseline, children who had longer early exposure to moderate intensity light (such as that from artificial sources) were more likely to have higher BMI, while children who had longer afternoon exposure to bright light (such as that from natural sources) tended to have lower BMI. At the second assessment, the investigators found that even after taking into account sleep duration and timing, BMI, and activity levels, children who had more total light exposure at baseline (due to having earlier exposure) gained more weight than their peers. Specifically, for every hour earlier that the children were exposed to light, they experienced a 0.6 unit increase in BMI. The investigators posited that although this was a small increase, it could be an indicator of a life-long trajectory toward weight gain.
These findings suggest that greater light exposure, especially when it occurs early in the day from artificial light sources, contributes to weight gain in children. Interestingly, adults that receive early exposure to bright light typically sleep better – a key to maintaining a healthy weight. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Matthew Walker.