ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY FROM CHINA, greater exposure to outdoor artificial light at night appears to be linked with diabetes markers. Today we explore exposure to night light and chronic disease.
We know, from animal studies, that exposure to light at night can interfere with circadian rhythms and affect glucose homeostasis. Homeostasis, from the Greek for “same” and “steady,” refers to any process that living things use to maintain relatively stable conditions necessary for survival.
Moreover, human studies have demonstrated this: Chronic exposure to moderate indoor light during sleep increases diabetes incidence among older adults, compared with those sleeping in a dim environment.
“I wonder why I don’t go to bed and go to sleep. But then it would be tomorrow, so I decide that no matter how tired, no matter how incoherent I am, I can skip on hour more of sleep and live.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the body’s transformation of food into energy. Here is what I mean: Are body breaks down most of our food intake into glucose (a sugar form) and releases it into the bloodstream. Insulin then serves as a key to allow the blood sugar into your cells for use as energy.
If you have diabetes, your body either does not create enough insulin or cannot use it as well as it should. If insufficient insulin or cells stop responding to the substance, too much blood sugar lingers in your bloodstream. Over time, that sugar can become toxic, leading to diseases such as visual loss, heart disease, and kidney problems.
In summary, diabetes is a group of diseases affecting how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is a critical energy source for our muscles, tissues, and brain.
We still don’t have a diabetes cure, but lifestyle maneuvers (including losing weight, eating healthy food, and getting physical activity) can help significantly. Some benefit from medications.
Diabetes types
There are three primary forms of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).
Type 1 diabetes is the product of an autoimmune reaction; the body attacks itself. This reaction stops the body from creating insulin. Up to 10 percent of those with diabetes have type 1. Type 1 diabetes is typically discovered in children and young adults but can occur at any age.
We historically called type 1 diabetes “juvenile” diabetes. Those with this diabetes form need to take insulin daily. We thus call it insulin-dependent diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin well, and blood sugar deviates from normal levels. Up to 95 percent of those with diabetes have this disease. Type 2 diabetes develops over the years and usually in adults. Unfortunately, the condition also occurs in younger individuals. Because there may not be symptoms, you should have a blood sugar test if you are at risk.
Here are some lifestyle maneuvers that can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Stay physically active.
- Eat healthy food.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes form develops in pregnant women who don’t have a history of diabetes. If you have this diabetes type, your baby can have a higher risk of health problems. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the baby’s delivery but can increase type 2 diabetes risk later in life. Moreover, the baby is more likely to suffer from childhood obesity or develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Finally, pre-diabetes is common in nations such as the United States. More than one in three Americans have pre-diabetes, and over 80 percent do not know they have it. Blood sugar levels are too high but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Pre-diabetes raises the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, lifestyle interventions (such as the US Centers for Disease Control-recognized lifestyle change program) may help you reverse it.
Diabetes symptoms
Diabetes symptoms hinge on how high your blood sugar rises. Many who have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. For type 1 diabetes, symptom onset is typically fast and more severe. The Mayo Clinic (USA) offers that select diabetes symptoms may include the following:
- Feeling more thirsty than usual.
- Frequent urination.
- Weight loss without trying.
- Feeling weak and tired.
- Blurry vision.
- Slow-healing sores.
- Mood changes such as irritability.
- Frequent infections, such as of the skin, gums, or vagina.
Type 1 diabetes can start at any age. But it usually starts during childhood or the teen years. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age (but is common among people over 40).
NIGHT LIGHT AND CHRONIC DISEASE (DIABETES)
Writing online in Diabetologia, researchers demonstrated the following finding:
There appeared to be a small (relative increase 1.07-times) increase in diabetes prevalence per quintile exposure to artificial light at night. Those living in areas with the most nighttime light exposure had a 1.28-fold higher prevalence of diabetes compared with those living in places with the lowest exposure.
The takeaway message? We have a growing body of low-level evidence (such as observational trials) that, in aggregate, reminds us the light at night may be detrimental to our health.
Artificial light at night is a potential new risk factor for diabetes, likely because of the influence of light on our circadian rhythms. Exposure interferes with synthesizing the hormone melatonin, a substance vital to good sleep.
Light pollution is bad for several reasons. To be clear, we need more proof that night exposure to light is related to diabetes risk. Thank you for joining me for this brief look at exposure to night light and chronic disease (diabetes, in this case) risk. One more thing:
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
