Body Clock Trick DEFENDS Your Brain
Researchers have known for years that those with Alzheimer’s and dementia have disrupted circadian rhythms.
Until recently, the assumption has been that Alzheimer’s disease caused the circadian issues as a result of neurodegeneration.
But a recent study is turning that notion on its head.
Research now reveals that disrupted circadian rhythms could be an underlying cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
For this study, mice were genetically modified to have…
- poor memory,
- nighttime hyperactivity,
- and deposits of amyloid beta in their brains (a marker of Alzheimer’s).
These mice were divided into two groups:
- One was fed regularly throughout the day.
- The other was put on an intermittent fasting schedule, where they fasted for 18 hours and had access to food for six.
As you probably guessed, the mice on the intermittent fasting schedule saw significant benefits.
In addition to improving circadian rhythms and sleeping better, they also saw improvements in their cognitive health, a breakdown of amyloid beta proteins in their brains, and slower development of new amyloid beta proteins.
This wasn’t a human study, but it gives us key insights into the underlying mechanisms behind the development of Alzheimer’s.
It also reveals the power of your internal clock to prevent the processes that lead to brain degeneration and improve those processes in those already affected.
If you’re not already taking steps to improve your circadian rhythm, I hope this will encourage you to start.
Intermittent fasting, exposure to sunshine at sunrise, and limiting light exposure at night can all help reset your body clock.
P.S. Brain-friendly vitamin lowers dementia risk.
View Sources
Whittaker, D. S., Akhmetova, L., Carlin, D., Romero, H., Welsh, D. K., Colwell, C. S., & Desplats, P. (2023). Circadian modulation by time-restricted feeding rescues brain pathology and improves memory in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Cell Metabolism, 35(10), 1704-1721.e6.
