• April 20, 2024

Having irregular work schedules reduce the level of tolerance to glucose , which increases the risk to suffer type 2 diabetes , says a study by researchers from the Harvard University School of Medicine .

It's not just about what consume workers, but also the hour in what they do, this significantly influences the regulation of the sugar in blood . This has health consequences, "he explains. Frank Scheer , researcher of the Harvard University School of Medicine .

The study explains that the ability to regular the levels of sugar in the blood is smaller in the Dinner that in the breakfast . Workers who rotate shifts have a greater risk of developing diabetes .

The former possibly because the internal clock send contradictory signs to various organs of the body like the liver Y pancreas , which could contribute to these effects of misalignment on the control of glucose , the researchers suggest.

Role-shifting uncontrolled glucose level

To reach this conclusion, a group of 14 people was formed to measure eating habits and sleep cycles, as well as the impact on the body's internal clock (circadian system) and the ability to control their blood sugar levels .

The group was divided into two teams. The first one was given breakfast at 8 in the morning and dinner at 8 in the evening, they slept during the night.

While in the second group the hours were reversed in 12 hours, with breakfast at 8 in the evening and dinner at 8 in the morning. They were scheduled to sleep during the day. The food was the same for both teams.

The researchers measured the levels of glucose and insulin at intervals of 10 minutes after each meal and every hour throughout the cycle of dream .

In this way they concluded that the levels of glucose after the foods (in the afternoon) is 17% more high that in the morning . This means that there is less tolerance of glucose .

They also found that sleeping during the day and taking the first food (equivalent to breakfast) at 8 o'clock in the evening low tolerance to glucose for several days. This phenomenon is called "circadian misalignment" that affects the health of those who work in shifts ".

This research is relevant because strategies can be developed and improved to control the levels of glucose in night workers. In addition to implementing an adequate diet , exercise and medicines to regulate levels of sugar in the blood .

The researchers conclude that since it is impossible for night work to disappear, now it is necessary to develop programs to establish schedules more suitable for consume food , this reduces the risk of diabetes .