The trillions of cells in the human body possess a genetic clock that allows us to be in tune with our environment and gives us the tools to adapt and perform at our best, according to Dr. Wajahat Khalil, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.
Khalil said our internal clocks typically run slightly longer than 24 hours, causing disruption when daylight time shifts are imposed. That can lead to sleep deprivation, poor alertness, impaired physical performance and digestion issues, he said.
When time shifts, whether because of jet travel or daylight saving time, it forces a condition called dyssynchrony, Khalil said, where the heart’s chambers beat unevenly.
“And what we need to know is that dyssynchrony has consequences all the way down to our trillions of cells,” he said.
Being consistent with sleep and wake cycles, adjusting sleep schedules before the time change, finding early morning light exposure and adjusting mealtimes can minimize negative effects, according to Khalil.
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