Our cdaily sleep-wake cycle is controlled by a molecular clockwhich is present in all cells of the human body. It has its own systematic rhythm ofalmost twenty-four hours exactallowing it to stay precisely tuned to the daily cycle set by the Earth’s rotation. ? However, in the modern world the human biological clock can hardly remain in tune with the rotational cycle of the Earth byexposure to artificial light and irregular meal, work, and sleep schedulestypical of the developed world. Scientists have dubbed this imbalance between the body’s natural circadian rhythms and the environment “circadian desynchrony,” and Wyse believes it is one of the reasons for the increase in the overweight population. Their study delves into how this desynchrony affects human health by altering the systems of the brain that regulate metabolism, in such a way that they increase the chances of developing obesity and diabetes. ??
And not all of us respond the same. Thebiological clock is controlled by our genes, and the study suggests that some people may be more sensitive than others to the effects of circadian desynchrony. For example, individuals originating in equatorial regions could have very regular biological clocks and thus be more vulnerable to the effects of such desynchrony, Wyse suggests.
