The shift mode of operation accelerates the aging of the brain
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
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Specialists in one of the latest studies found that shift work, especially for several consecutive years, negatively affects the work of the brain and accelerates the aging process. The scientists noted that with a shift in the work schedule a person may begin to have problems with memory and cognitive abilities, but that all the shortcomings of the shift schedule should be manifested, a person should work in this mode for at least 10 years. During this period, the brain ages by 6.5 years, and to restore all the violations that occurred, it takes at least five years.
Experts argue that the fault is the violation of the internal clock, which leads to stress. In addition, because of the night schedule in the body, there may be a shortage of vitamin D, which worsens mental ability.
Such conclusions were made by specialists of Toulouse University after assessing the state of more than three thousand people.
As a result, in the group where the participants worked in shifts, there were bad results of memory tests, also the processing speed of information was less, brain work in general was disrupted.
But the University of Swansea suggested that the duration of night shifts has a major impact on the brain, in particular, worsening its activity.
In addition, the night schedule, in addition to disturbing the sleep schedule, increases the development of cardiovascular diseases, cancer tumors, depressive disorders, obesity, diabetes, various mental disorders.
Scientists noted that shift work negatively affects about 1500 genes, which explains such a vast impact of the organism.
Another study of specialists, conducted not so long ago, showed that disrupting the work of biological clocks in combination with foods rich in fats and sugars can cause dangerous chronic inflammation in the body, which as a result can provoke such serious diseases as diabetes or heart disease.
In the study, which was attended by volunteers with a shift work schedule (medical staff, firefighters, etc.), scientists found that in this mode of work, people are significantly impaired health. The internal clock of a person lives on a 24-hour schedule and the time for sleeping is part of this schedule, in violation of which, the whole organism fails.
Inflammatory processes have a close connection with the bacterial composition of the intestine and the biological clock of a person plays a significant role in this.
In the course of the research, the specialists conducted an experiment with male rodents. The animals were knocked down by the circadian rhythm by changing the usual day / night regime. In this case, one group of rodents was fed with fatty and sweet foods, and the other with cereals, vegetables, etc.
As a result, in a group where rodents were fed fatty and sweet foods revealed a change in bacterial composition in the intestine, which was directly related to the development of the inflammatory process.
According to scientists, people with shift work schedule need to get enough sleep, and also eat properly (more fruits, vegetables, etc.), which will help to avoid the development of a number of serious diseases, including bowel cancer.