Why working at night damages DNA

Copy Experience August 30, 2018 No Comments Not respecting nighttime sleep schedules causes serious damage to people’s DNA, a recent study revealed. Have you noticed that your patients who work at night have more health problems? Some of the most common conditions caused by lack of rest that damage people’s DNA are cognitive impairment and metabolic disorders. Also, people can develop heart disease and breast and lung cancer. However, the latest problem discovered has to do with genetics. DNA Damage A new study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, a research institute in Seattle, Washington, showed that night shifts impact the body’s ability to repair DNA. In previous research, the group of scientists found that sleeping during the day reflected a smaller amount of chemicals released by the body during DNA repair. For this study, they looked at 50 workers who had the widest gap in circulating melatonin levels when they worked overnight. The method was carried out with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with electromechanical detection. They then used mixed-effects models to compare 8-OH-dG levels when working and sleeping during the night. 8-OHdG is a molecule that indicates the level of oxidative damage in the genetic material. The less 8-OHdG there is, the less genetic damage and the greater the capacity for DNA repair. Cancer risk The result was that melatonin levels were reduced more in those who worked at night than in those who rested. And melatonin, which is the sleep hormone , participates in DNA repair. So, when it is reduced in those who work at night, it complicates genetic repair and increases the chances of cancers and heart problems. During the investigation, the researchers took into account other aspects that could influence DNA damage. They accounted for the presence of possible confusing substances such as alcohol. And also the shortening of hours of sleep during the day before the night of work. These adjustments showed that 8-OH-dG levels were 80% lower in those who slept than in those who worked. The authors assured that the next step will be to discover if melatonin supplementation could reduce possible DNA damage. Damaged DNA is potentially carcinogenic in night workers. As health specialists, it is essential to emphasize the need for our patients to eat healthily, exercise and sleep enough time to cleanse their body and regenerate their DNA. If you want advice on this and other topics, click here.