Chronobiology

Have you ever snuck a nap in the middle of the day? Modern schedules tend to favor people who are up at dawn and steadily working until sundown. Benjamin Franklin and other fathers of our nation praised those who worked tirelessly, eschewing sleep until nightfall. Our society is set up to support this behavior; jobs begin early and lunch breaks are...

With obesity reaching epidemic levels in the United States and much of the Western world, many people are struggling to lose a few (or more!) extra pounds. Often those wishing to lose weight strive to eat less and to fit more activity into their lives, only to be disappointed with minimal results. As a result, weight loss is becoming a...

Westerners are living longer lives than ever. However, we are living sicker lives as well. Many people struggle with chronic illness and disorders that affect their daily lives in a variety of ways. Sadly, our golden years are often spent in hospitals and doctor's offices. Researchers now believe that maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal flora (bacteria in your digestive...

Most of us know someone, be it a friend, grandfather, parent, or another family member, who takes medication for hypertension, or high blood pressure. Not only is high blood pressure common in the Western world, but our risk of developing it increases as we age. At the same time, many people find that they also have trouble sleeping as they...

Do you go to bed at the same time every night? If you are like most people in the industrialized world, the answer to this question is likely "no." Electrical lights and smart devices give us the means to stay awake well past dark and plenty of ways to entertain ourselves while doing so. The result is that most adults...

Modern society has become almost "timeless" due to electric lighting and other technology. We can buy groceries at midnight, get medical care at any hour, and access 24/7 customer service for any problems that arise during the day or night. There are definite benefits to this constant access. However, there may be serious health consequences for the people who keep...

Electronic devices have allowed us to be more connected, yet more detached. Smartphones, tablets and other devices give us access to information, social media and email 24 hours a day. While this should make it easier to manage our lives and maintain meaningful connections, it appears to actually be hindering us in these areas. New research suggests that taking a...

How do your food choices affect your sleep? If you've ever reached for a cup of chamomile tea or a glass of warm milk before bed, you probably have some idea. Although there has not been solid evidence that diet affects sleep until recently, many people in cultures around the globe maintain deeply-held beliefs that some foods and beverages can...

If you've been keeping up with recent research, you're probably aware of the negative effects of blue light from electronic devices on sleep. More and more we are being warned to put down the smartphone and power down the laptop at night. The link between low melatonin levels and blue light is well established. However, blue light may be affecting...

Benjamin Franklin once observed, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." However, in reality, it may not be so simple. While some people are up with dawn and yawning by dusk, others come alive at night, yet struggle to function in the mornings. New research has found that whether you are a "morning lark...