Section 9
“The environment, through light, food, and stress flips the switches on genes to produce hormones, which in turn flip other genes – from growth, death or repair – on and off.”
--TS Wiley, Lights Out
Cancer risk increases in those who don’t sleep, and is much higher in shift workers, and people who cross time zones often during air travel.
In 2007, the IRAC concluded that shift work is "probably carcinogenic to humans."
When we sleep, hormones are released, tissue growth and repair occurs, neurological pathways are regenerated, detoxification occurs, and the immune system is replenished.
Sleep also affects the body’s reaction to insulin. Just two nights of poor sleep can increase levels of insulin growth factor (IGF-1). Adults need at least 8 hours; kids at least 12 hours.
Sleep deprivation also causes a decrease in leptin, known as the satiety hormone, and an increase in ghrelin, or “the hunger hormone”.
Make sleep a priority by avoiding screens after dark.