Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have possibly found a new way to help boost your immune system by using the circadian clock. It has always been known that our circadian clocks regulate our eating and sleeping patterns, well now it has been discovered that it may play a role in our immune system as well. Their research showed that there may be a possible connection between the circadian clock and the number of inflammatory cells called interleukin-17-producing CD4+ T helper cells (TH17). They studied the TH17 cells in mice and saw an increase in production during the mice sleeping cycle. When their day-night cycles where continuously disrupted the amount of TH17 was produced more when awake than normal. Although their results aren't conclusive as of yet, there may be a new way to help fight colds before you even get sick.
Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131107170632.htm
That's interesting. I recall watching a program showing state-of-the-art million dollar apartments that had lights tailored to the apartment owners circadian rhythms. I thought it was a gimmick but maybe they were onto something.
ReplyDeletehmmm for some reason I would have guessed that there would be more T helper cells during the sleeping hours than the wake hours because the body heals better at those hours then the wake hours
ReplyDeletetake home lesson: Sleep! sleeping on time is the key to a better and solid immune system against all kind of pathogens.
ReplyDeleteI've always heard that people with messed up sleeping patterns are more susceptible to a compromised immune system, which causes them to get sick easier. I also remember learning in Microbiology that during your sleeping hours is when the body is taking the time to repair itself (this is also why you feel your sickness the worst when laying down right before you go to sleep versus when you're up and active). With that being said, it makes sense that correct sleeping habits is essential in fighting off common sicknesses.
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