The Importance of Natural Light: Resetting Your dogs circadian rhythm
Understanding Your Circadian Rhythm: The Internal Body Clock
The circadian rhythm refers to the internal body clock that governs various behaviours, hormones, and other bodily processes. This rhythm is influenced by external environmental factors, such as natural light and dark cycles (day and night), mealtimes, and temperature fluctuations. As a result, circadian rhythms operate on a 24-hour cycle (Stevenson, 2016).
The Role of the Hypothalamus and SCN: The hypothalamus, located in the brain, contains a small bundle of nerves known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is directly linked to your eyes, so exposure to natural light at specific times (like watching the sunrise) helps reset the circadian rhythm. Getting natural light first thing in the morning is crucial, as low-level sunlight allows the full light spectrum to enter the eyes. This is also important for melatonin production, which builds up throughout the day and aids sleep at night. In humans, this has been proven to help with anxiety and insomnia (Karami et al., 2016).
Circadian Rhythm and Metabolic Processes: Evidence has shown that leptin (the hunger hormone) and insulin are impaired when a group of mice is subjected to light cycle disruption, resulting in weight gain. The release of insulin from the pancreas is also regulated by the circadian rhythm and usually occurs around predicted meal times (Skinner et al., 2019).
Internal Clocks in the Body: Most cells and organs in the body have their own internal clocks, with the hypothalamus acting as a conductor. These clocks should all work in harmony. However, if one clock is out of sync, chaos can ensue.
Chronopharmacokinetics: Certain medications are better tolerated when their intake aligns with the circadian rhythm (Ballesta et al., 2017), a concept known as chronopharmacokinetics. Circadian changes in metabolising enzyme activities and blood flow fluctuations mean that some drugs are more effective when taken at specific times of the day. For instance, hepatic blood flow is greater in the morning and decreased at night (Baraldo, 2008).
Early Morning Walks for Senile Dogs: Taking your dog out for early morning walks can be particularly beneficial for senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline. The exposure to natural light early in the day can help regulate their circadian rhythm, potentially improving their sleep patterns and overall mood. Additionally, the physical activity and mental stimulation provided by a morning walk can contribute to their cognitive health and well-being.
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Limbic Tricks x
References:
Ballesta, A., Innominato, P., Dallman, R., Rand, D. and Levi, F. (2017) A systems of chronotherapeutics, Pharmacological reviews, 69 (2), pp. 161-199
Baraldo, M. (2008) The influence of circadian rhythms on the kinetics of drugs in humans, Expert opin drug metab toxicol. 4(2), pp. 175-192
Karami, Z., Golomohammadi, R., Heidaripahlavian, A., Poorolajal, J. and Heidarimoghadam, R. (2016) Effect of daylight on melatonin and subjective general factors in elderly people. Iranian journal of public health. 45(5), pp 636-643
Skinner, N., Rizwan, M., Grattan, D. and Tups, A. (2019) Chronic life cycle disruption alters central insulin and leptin signaling as well as metabolic markers in male mice. Endocrinology. Vol. 160, issue 10, pp 2257-2270
Stevenson, S. (2016) ‘Sleep Smarter: 21 essential strategies to sleep your way to a better body, better health, and bigger success’. Rodale inc. New York