Can dimmer stars predict disease?

Here’s a startling fact…

Since 2011, light pollution has made the night sky over North America 10 percent brighter each year.

Aesthetically, this dims the stars, making stargazing less magical.

But on a health-related scale, it’s much more alarming…

Light pollution “breaks” your health

Research links light pollution to serious health conditions—like cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.

And the reason why might all boil down to a “broken body clock.”

See, as I’ve reported before, circadian misalignment—which occurs when your body’s internal “clock” doesn’t match with its environment—can wreak havoc on your health.

After all, it increases inflammation, affects healthy cell division, and suppresses your natural release of melatonin, the “sleep” hormone.

And now, this misalignment is more common than ever.

Inside our homes, we have multiple electronic devices that emit blue light. And outdoors, we have things like blaring headlights, streetlights, illuminated buildings, and more.

In other words, we no longer have a deep contrast between light and dark, which confuses our physiology. This disrupts healthy sleep patterns and, research shows, damages overall health.

Scary health risks

Turns out, research has linked light pollution to a:

• 31 percent increased risk of high blood pressure
• 29 percent higher risk of death from coronary artery disease
• 28 percent heightened risk of Type 2 diabetes
• 17 percent increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (like strokes or brain aneurysms)
• 12 percent higher risk of breast cancer

Studies also suggest light pollution may strongly predict Alzheimer’s disease.

Do I have your attention yet?

These aren’t trivial things. And you do need to protect yourself. Here are two simple strategies you should adopt immediately:

• Invest in room darkening shades or curtains. This will help keep the skyglow out of your bedroom while you sleep. (A sleep mask will do the trick, too.)
• Be conscious of blue light. Don’t sabotage yourself by soaking up blue light before bedtime. Turn off your electronic devices (yes, that includes the TV) well before you plan to turn in, and keep your other lights dim.

You might also consider supporting organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association.

(For more insight about how to fix a broken body clock, check out the March 2018 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter. Click here now!)

Source:

“Why Scientists Are Linking More Diseases to Light at Night.” WebMD, 10/22/2024. (webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20241022/why-scientists-are-linking-more-diseases-to-light-at-night)