A WARNING for Night Owls

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted November 13, 2023

Do you thrive after dark and struggle to wake up early?

If so, your late-night tendencies could put you at greater risk of developing diabetes.

Emerging research shows that night owls—those who prefer staying up late and sleeping longer—have higher odds of metabolic disorders than early birds.

But it’s NOT your fault. And you CAN do something about it.

A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that going to bed late and getting up late is linked to a 19 percent higher risk of diabetes, even when other lifestyle factors are considered.

But your late-night tendencies likely aren’t just a bad habit. They’re literally coded into your genes.

You see, we all have something called a “chronotype” or a circadian preference. Your chronotype is the time when you prefer to sleep and wake up.

Some of us like to go to bed early (early birds), while others want to stay up late (night owls).

Your chronotype is partially determined by your genes, which makes it hard to change. But that’s not the WHOLE story.

Most people have a time of day when they prefer to be alone or to socialize, which drives a lot of early-birding or night-owling. But why do night owls have problems with blood sugar?

The researchers found that BEFORE taking lifestyle factors into account, folks who stay up late were 72 percent more likely to have diabetes than those who tucked in early.

It turns out that when compared to morning folks, night owls…

• drink more alcohol,
• smoke more,
• sit more,
• get less sleep,
• exercise less,
• and weigh more.

Scientists also believe our body’s internal clock affects how well we process sugar and insulin throughout the day. This is likely linked to sun exposure, and early birds are naturally exposed to more sun.

So, what do you do if you prefer to stay up until the wee hours of the night?

Start paying closer attention to all those lifestyle factors that can help or harm your health, including sleep, exercise, alcohol, and diet.

You can get more light exposure by buying lightbulbs that mimic natural sunlight. You can also incorporate an exercise program into your nightly routine. Plus, don’t overindulge in alcohol and commit to eating healthier.

Don’t let your late-night preferences put you on the fast track to diabetes. A few simple changes tailored to your night owl habits can get your body clock back on track and reduce your risk of developing the disease.

P.S. Common sleep mistake could trigger CANCER.

Source:

“Chronotype, Unhealthy Lifestyle, and Diabetes Risk in Middle-Aged U.S. Women: A Prospective Cohort Study,” Annals of Internal Medicine, 12 September 2023, doi. org / 10.7326/M23-0728

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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