Sitting next to a window may improve symptoms such as: type 2 diabetes New research shows that it controls insulin levels.
The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, found that exposure to natural light, even indoors near a window, changes the way your body processes glucose and uses energy.
People in Western societies spend 80% to 90% of their time under artificial light, which is very dim and not dynamic. than sunlightthe researchers pointed out. Natural light is a powerful cue to your body’s internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm.
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Research shows that your body clock influences many processes such as digestion, hormone release, and metabolism. Loss of synchronization can worsen insulin resistance, blood sugar level These are the two main problems caused by type 2 diabetes.
To test the effect of sunlight on blood sugar levels, scientists recruited 13 adults with type 2 diabetes. Each person spent 4.5 days in two separate sessions in a controlled office environment, according to a press release.
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In one period, participants worked in front of a large window with natural light. In another period, participants worked in the same room with covered windows and were exposed only to typical indoor lighting.
Everyone ate similar meals, followed the same schedule, and carried on with their usual lives. diabetes medicine in both conditions.
Although there was no significant difference in average blood sugar levels between the two conditions, people spent more time in a healthy blood sugar range when exposed to natural light. This meant that my blood sugar levels fluctuated less and stayed within the desired range for most of the day.
Exposure to natural light also affects metabolism. During the day, participants burned more fat and consumed fewer carbohydrates for energy.
muscle biopsy and clinical examination The study also found that the genes responsible for the body’s cellular clock become more synchronized under natural light conditions.
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Improving the alignment of these genes could improve nutrient processing And how the cells respond to insulin, the researchers concluded.
However, according to the team, sunlight is not a substitute for traditional management strategies such as medication or diet and exercise.
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This study had several limitations, including the small patient group. The researchers cautioned that larger studies are needed to confirm these results and determine how much natural light exposure is optimal.
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“This study also highlights the often overlooked influence of the built environment. about our health“And raises further concerns about the prevalence of office environments with insufficient access to (natural) daylight,” the researchers said.
