The Live Long Podcast

May 21, 2018

Nurturing the body clock for optimum longevity

About this episode

What makes us tick? Our in-built clock – the circadian rhythm – plays a huge role in human longevity. Getting an appropriate amount of sleep while the sun is down has tremendous positive effects on our bodies, according to Dr. Felice Gersh, gynecologist and founder of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in Southern California. Sleeping in the dark keeps our body’s 24-hour internal clock on track and helps regulate our hormones and metabolism. Still, many people wind up staying up later than they planned, while others work night shift hours, which disrupts our internal clock. In this LLAMA podcast interview with Peter Bowes, Dr. Gersh describes what we can do to regulate our master clock when it is thrown off by lack of sleep or unconventional routines; why it matters for healthy aging and how our meal times could be the solution to night shift fatigue.

Connect with Felice: Website | Twitter

In the episode we cover:

  • Why our bodies are built to sleep when it’s dark.
  • Are people who swear they are “night owls” operating efficiently?
  • Felice explains the data that suggests people who travel often, and enter different time zones, have a higher risk of developing diseases like cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and cancers.
  • Why are night-shift workers more prone to depression and other mental health issues?

DISCOUNTS & AFFILIATION DISCLOSURES

This podcast is supported by affiliate arrangements with a select number of companies. We have arranged discounts on certain products and receive a small commission on sales. The income helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. See our SHOP for more details.

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The Live Long podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

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