6 lifestyle habits that will improve your health | Satchin Panda, PhD
Oct 16, 2023
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Circadian biology expert Dr Satchin Panda shares six essential tips for nurturing our circadian rhythm. Topics include sleep optimization, the relationship between caffeine and sleep, melatonin supplementation, compensating for lost sleep, the link between sleep deprivation and body fat accumulation, time-restricted eating, determining the best time of day to exercise, and the importance of avoiding food and bright lights before sleep.
Setting a consistent bedtime is important for regulating the body's circadian rhythm and improving sleep quality.
Taking a break of at least 2 hours after waking up before having the first meal aligns with the body's natural circadian rhythm and optimizes various functions.
Time-restricted eating, with a consistent 10 to 12-hour window, can improve metabolic health, digestion, and energy levels.
Time-restricted eating has multiple benefits for sleep quality, brain health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Exposure to bright light in the morning, at least 1000 lux for up to one hour, is important for entraining the circadian clock and improving mood and melatonin levels.
Deep dives
Sleep Optimization
Getting enough sleep is crucial for the body to repair, reset, and rejuvenate itself. Setting a consistent bedtime is important to regulate the body's circadian rhythm. Melatonin, a hormone that helps with sleep, begins to rise a few hours before bedtime. Sleep is essential for detoxification, strengthening synapses, memory consolidation, and overall brain health. Adults should aim for 6.5 to 7.5 hours of sleep, while teenagers need 8 to 9 hours, and babies and toddlers require even more.
Morning Fast after Waking
Taking a break of at least 2 hours after waking up before having the first meal is recommended. This aligns with the natural circadian rhythm and allows the body's stress hormone cortisol to reach its peak level and melatonin to decrease. This downtime before breakfast gives the body a chance to repair, reset, and optimize various functions such as digestion, detoxification, and strengthening brain synapses.
Time-Restricted Eating
Time-restricted eating involves selecting a consistent time window to consume all meals and caloric intake. The goal is to eat within a 10 to 12-hour window, preferably with a larger breakfast and diminishing caloric intake toward the end of the day. This practice has shown metabolic benefits, such as improved blood sugar control, reduced risk of chronic diseases like cancer, and enhancement of mitochondrial function. Front-loading calories in the first half of the day aligns with the body's natural circadian rhythm and can optimize digestion and energy levels.
Beneficial Effects of Time-Restricted Eating
Time-restricted eating not only improves metabolic health but also enhances sleep quality, promotes brain health, and increases resilience against chronic diseases. It aids in repair processes, detoxification, and strengthens synapses. Additionally, time-restricted eating may reduce the risk of certain cancers and infectious diseases. While more research is needed, the evidence suggests that time-restricted eating is a beneficial lifestyle habit for overall health and well-being.
Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating in Mice and Humans
Time-restricted eating, or having a specific window for daily food intake, has been extensively studied in both mice and humans. In mice, it has been found that female mice are more resistant to metabolic diseases and gain less weight compared to male mice even on a high-fat diet. However, time-restricted eating still provides numerous benefits to female mice, including reduced fat deposits in the liver and improved endurance. Similar benefits have also been observed in human studies, even for individuals who do not experience weight loss. Therefore, time-restricted eating is recommended as it offers various health benefits regardless of changes in body weight.
The Impact of Bright Light Exposure on Our Circadian Rhythms
Exposure to bright light, particularly in the morning, plays a crucial role in entraining our brain's circadian clock with the external environment. It is recommended to receive at least 1000 lux of light for up to one hour in the morning, preferably by staying close to a window or going outdoors. Individuals suffering from depressive symptoms or at risk of depression should aim for 5000 to 10000 lux of light exposure, even on cloudy days. Access to sufficient daylight is essential for improving mood, brain health, and increasing nighttime melatonin levels. During winter or when daylight is limited, it is advisable to ensure bright indoor lighting, especially in the morning, to support circadian rhythms.
The Importance of Afternoon Exercise
While exercise at any time of the day is beneficial, there are specific advantages to exercising in the afternoon. Athletes tend to perform better in the late afternoon due to enhanced physical readiness and flexibility of joints. Moreover, pancreatic function is optimized during the first half of the day, making late afternoon exercise particularly advantageous for individuals with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Late afternoon exercise has also shown to be effective in controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of injuries, particularly for older adults. Therefore, incorporating exercise into the afternoon can improve performance, metabolic health, and overall well-being.
No Food and Bright Light Before Bed
To support optimal sleep and overall health, it is recommended to refrain from eating and exposure to bright light for two to three hours before bed. Designing evening routines that prioritize darkness and warm lighting, such as using dimmers or warm-colored light bulbs, can aid in reducing the negative impact of excessive blue light before sleep. Striving to cultivate an environment that supports proper sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms contributes to improved sleep quality, brain health, and metabolic function.
The Impact of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight, Nutrition, and Caloric Intake
Time-restricted eating not only positively affects weight management, but also indirectly improves nutrition quality. By limiting the eating window, individuals have less opportunity to consume excessive calories, alcohol, or late-night desserts. It has been observed that time-restricted eating can lead to a reduction in calorie intake by 20-25%, which is associated with a decreased risk of diseases and an increased chance of healthy aging. Unlike calorie counting, which can be challenging, time-restricted eating simplifies the process by naturally reducing calorie intake and improving overall nutrition quality.
Episode #283. Have you ever thought about how you can improve your health and well-being by aligning with your internal clocks? Join me as I sit down with circadian biology expert Dr Satchin Panda to learn his six essential tips for nurturing our circadian rhythm.
Specifically, we discuss:
Introduction (00:00)
The Importance of Sleep Optimisation (03:18)
Factors Influencing Sleep: Genes vs Daily Behaviours (11:53)
The Relationship Between Caffeine and Sleep (16:27)
Melatonin: Understanding Suppressors, Dosage, and Supplementation (21:15)
Is It Possible to Compensate for Lost Sleep? (34:03)
The Link Between Sleep Deprivation and Body Fat Accumulation (36:25)
Should We Eat Immediately After Waking Up? (43:10)
Time-Restricted Eating and Its Impact on Circadian Rhythms (48:32)
Timing Your Meals: When Should You Consume Most of Your Daily Calories? (59:43)
Time-Restricted Eating and Its Effect on Mitochondrial Function (1:04:50)
Gender Differences: How Time-Restricted Eating Affects Health Outcomes in Men vs Women (1:11:04)
The Ideal Amount of Daylight Exposure for Optimal Health (1:17:57)
Determining the Best Time of Day to Exercise (1:28:57)
Preparing for Bed: The Importance of Avoiding Food and Bright Lights Two Hours Before Sleep (1:35:23)
Prioritising Lifestyle Habits: Which One Reigns Supreme? (1:40:55)
Conclusion (1:45:56)
Enjoy, friends.
Simon
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