Daily rhythms keep your body ticking like a clock.
It’s true for morning glories, crickets, birds, dogs, and yes—humans too.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of body processes that follow a 24-hour clock:
✔️ Hormones: Your body’s hormonal balance operates on a circadian rhythm, affecting everything from energy levels to mood regulation. Melatonin, cortisol, and growth hormone are just a few examples of hormones influenced by your internal clock.
✔️ Blood Pressure: Blood pressure typically follows a daily pattern, peaking in the morning and dipping at night. Disruptions to this rhythm can lead to elevated blood pressure levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues.
✔️ Blood Sugar: Glucose metabolism is tightly regulated by the circadian rhythm. Disruptions can lead to insulin resistance, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and an increased risk of metabolic disorders like diabetes.
✔️ Immune Function: The immune system also operates on a circadian rhythm, with certain immune cells being more active at specific times of the day. Disruptions to this rhythm can weaken immune function, leaving you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
✔️ Detoxification: Your body’s detoxification processes, primarily carried out by the liver, follow a circadian rhythm. Disruptions can impair the liver’s ability to efficiently eliminate toxins, leading to a buildup of harmful substances in the body.
✔️ Digestion: Digestive processes, including nutrient absorption and bowel movements, exhibit circadian fluctuations. Disruptions to this rhythm can lead to digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or irregular bowel movements.
That’s right—nearly every body process has a daily cycle.
⏰ It’s called the circadian rhythm ⏰
We have a master circadian clock in a specialized area of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) plus self-regulating clocks in the gut, liver, and other internal organs.
BUT…do you know what happens when we eat, exercise, sleep, or stare at our phones at times that are out of sync with our internal clock?
It’s not good.
When our rhythm gets out of whack, it’s called Circadian Disruption. It can look like:
✖️ Unable to fall asleep
✖️ Difficulty staying asleep
✖️ Waking up groggy
✖️ Crashing mid-day
✖️ Feeling tired but wired
Not only that, but circadian disruption can upset your mood, metabolism, hormones, and digestion too.
Test Not Guess: Understanding Circadian Adrenal Testing
Understanding the signs of circadian rhythm disruption is the first step towards reclaiming control over your health and vitality. While recognizing symptoms is crucial, obtaining concrete data about your body’s rhythms can provide invaluable insights. One method gaining recognition is adrenal testing. This specialized test measures cortisol levels throughout the day to assess the function of your adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in regulating the body’s response to stress and maintaining the circadian rhythm. By pinpointing fluctuations in cortisol levels, circadian adrenal testing offers a more comprehensive understanding of your body’s internal clock and potential areas of imbalance. It’s worth noting that this is a simple urine test you can conveniently perform in the comfort of your own home. Contact the office to order your kit. Armed with this information, you can tailor interventions and lifestyle adjustments more precisely to restore harmony to your daily rhythms. Remember, your health is your greatest asset, and investing in understanding and optimizing your circadian rhythm can lead to a happier, healthier life.
