The 2017 Nobel Prize in Biology or Medicine was awarded to three American scientists who studied [molecular mechanisms that control circadian rhythms].
With the research, the three scientists won a total of 9 million Swedish kronor (about 7.4 million yuan).
In fact, the most down-to-earth explanation for the research results of this year’s Norbe Prize in Biology/Medicine is not to stay up late.
It seems that when relatives and friends advise us not to stay up late, we must be as happy as getting 7.4 million…
No kidding. There are indeed many studies that have found that if the biological clock is disordered for a long time, it will bring many chronic diseases and even cancer.
Today we will talk about this problem.
Staying up late is a [carcinogen]
As early as 2007, the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) defined [staying up late and working shifts] as Class 2A carcinogenic factors, which belong to the same category as familiar factors such as red meat and boiling drinks.
In that year, there were 8 large-scale studies on biological clock and cancer probability, and 6 of them found that irregular work and rest would increase cancer risk.
For example, two large-scale independent studies have found that nurses who often work night shifts are more likely to get breast cancer than the general population. Another study found that stewardesses who often need jet lag are also more likely to get breast cancer. In addition, there are many similar studies.
In short, many studies have found that staying up late frequently can increase the risk of cancer, including-
Breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian cancer… almost all cancer types are covered.
Not only that, but also studies have found that biological clock disorders not only increase the probability of cancer, but also make cancer worse, drug resistance stronger and patient life expectancy shorter.
Exposure to carcinogens ≠ will definitely cause you cancer.
Staying up late is a Class 2A carcinogenic factor, that is to say, [it is likely to cause cancer]. If you are serious (or often stay up late to find excuses), you will definitely ask:
Why is it not 100% carcinogenic?
Because epidemiological studies always only show correlation, not causality.
To strictly prove causality, one needs to change one’s biological clock genes, or force a person to board a plane, commute between China and the United States every day, and continuously jet lag to see if he will get cancer…
This is obviously impossible.
Therefore, staying up late can only be a Class 2A carcinogenic factor, and it is difficult to upgrade to Class 1A.
When the sun rises, when the sun sets, don’t play with your mobile phone after turning off the lights.
Does the biological clock confirm the detoxification schedule? Wrong
At the same time, there is a saying on the Internet:
Look, the Nobel Prize in Medicine said to work and rest regularly. It seems that not sleeping at night affects organ detoxification, which is really reasonable.
What I want to emphasize here is that regular work and rest does not mean simple going to bed early and getting up early. The so-called “organ regular detoxification theory” is still nonsense.
The reason is very simple, because the four words “healthy work and rest” have different meanings for everyone.
Everyone’s biological clock is affected by congenital genes and acquired environment, which is very different. The body does not necessarily do a certain fixed thing at a certain time.
If you are used to [going to bed late and getting up late], or if you only sleep 5-6 hours a day but still maintain a good mental state, it may be normal.
As long as you live a regular life, have high sleep quality and are energetic every day, you don’t have to worry.
What we need to avoid is frequent changes in life and sleep rhythm, resulting in biological clock disorders.
If you must stay up late, how can you reduce the risk of cancer?
Cancer is a probability problem under the influence of many factors.
Fortunately, statistically speaking, the increased cancer risk of biological clock disorder is not very great, significantly lower than that of smoking, drinking, secondhand smoke, obesity, etc.
If a certain influencing factor increases some risks, there is no need to panic. What everyone needs to do is to do more things to reduce the risk of cancer.
The first thing we should avoid is frequent changes in life and sleep rhythm, resulting in biological clock disorders.
Secondly, if you have to stay up late, please stop smoking and control alcohol as much as possible, stick to exercise and eat a balanced diet, which can reduce the negative effects.
Unfortunately, many people stay up all night while smoking and drinking.
If you are one of them, what should you do? Don’t say anything more?