Artificial light before bedtime can cause obesity and cancer
In a study recently published in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers founds that artificial light at night (ALAN) can lead to weight-gain as well as some types of cancer. After adjusting for other factors, including dietary patterns, ALAN emerged as prominent predictor of obesity and cancer of the breast and prostate.
Bright light before bedtime, especially at the wavelengths generated by televisions, computer screens, tablets, laptops, and smart phones, suppresses the production of melatonin—an important hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin helps regulate metabolism and has anti-cancer properties which, when suppressed, contributes to higher rates of obesity and cancer.
Comments: Taking a melatonin supplement is not the solution. Melatonin from a pill does not work the same as your body’s own natural melatonin. The solution is to turn off all televisions, computer screens, tablets, laptops, and smart phones at least one hour before bedtime. This way, your pineal gland can produce healthy levels of melatonin without being impeded.