Working at night is very dangerous for health
Last reviewed: 22.10.2021
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Regular work in the night shift is unnatural for the human body. Scientists have found that such a lifestyle hinders the processes of DNA regeneration, which in time can lead to early cell aging and the development of oncology.
A little earlier, specialists have already managed to find a relationship between work at night and the development of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. However, the last study allowed to explain the development of these pathologies, as well as to detect new disorders. It turned out that the failure of the natural life rhythm leads to a disruption of the reductive reactions in DNA.
One of the authors of the project, Professor Pravin Bhatti, representative of the Center for the Study of Cancer Tumors F. Hutchinson (United States), spoke about the results of the study in the periodical Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Shortly before the study, the professor found that the period of daytime sleep is related to the content of urine 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. This substance is an auxiliary product, which is formed in the process of regeneration of damaged DNA.
This discovery led scientists to the idea that the content of this substance can be used as an indicator of the restorative properties of cells.
Specialists suggested that the mutual replacement of day and night sleep leads to disrupted melatonin production - and, consequently, to disturbed DNA repair.
To confirm the assumption, fifty working shift workers were examined, who were awake at night and slept during the day for many years. A high-tech method was used to evaluate the production of a substance in the urine, using effective chromatography and electrochemical detectors.
As a result, it was found that the level of melatonin in "night" workers was noticeably lower, and the indicator of DNA reduction was reduced to 20%.
According to scientists, such indicators are very, very unfavorable. They indicate that a change in the way of life inherent in nature negatively affects the regenerative properties of the DNA of human cells. And not one or two percent, but many times!
If you believe the experts, the human body becomes unarmed before the harmful external influence and before the age-related changes in the cells. Cellular structures simply do not have time to recover and can not withstand tumor processes, endocrine pathologies and other diseases.
As a consequence of the violation of the natural regime, a person grows old faster and, accordingly, dies earlier.
"Given the relationship between the regeneration of DNA and the content of melatonin, people can be advised to take special medications, which include melatonin. Of course, if such people do not have the opportunity to establish a normal natural lifestyle with a full night's rest. This will help to mitigate the negative consequences of the night regime in shift workers, "the researchers believe.