Aging Weakens Link Between Brain and Body Clocks, Aggravating Jet Lag

Jet lag, the body’s internal clock disruption caused by crossing multiple time zones, can be more than just an annoyance for older individuals. New research published in the journal “Chaos” has revealed that aging weakens the connection between the central and peripheral circadian clocks, which regulate vital processes such as sleep, metabolism, and hormone production. This weakening can make it difficult for older individuals to adapt to new time zones, impacting their health and well-being.

The central clock, located in the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), receives external signals like light exposure to establish the body’s daily rhythm. Peripheral clocks, situated in various organs and tissues, follow the central clock’s directives to coordinate their functions.

Computer models were employed by researchers from Northwestern University and the Santa Fe Institute to simulate interactions between central and peripheral clocks in different jet lag scenarios. Their findings indicated that as individuals age, signals from the SCN to peripheral clocks diminish, making it more challenging to resynchronize after sudden time zone shifts. This can result in health issues such as insomnia, digestive problems, mood disorders, and a compromised immune system.

However, the study proposed a potential solution to mitigate jet lag’s effects on older individuals: consuming a substantial meal early in the morning after arrival. The research showed that food intake serves as a potent cue to reset peripheral clocks, especially in the liver and pancreas, which are involved in glucose metabolism. By having a sizable breakfast at the local time, older travelers can expedite their body clock adjustment and alleviate jet lag symptoms.

The study also explored how light exposure influences jet lag recovery. Bright morning light can advance the central clock, while dim evening light can delay it—beneficial for travelers flying eastward or westward, respectively. Nevertheless, the researchers cautioned that light exposure alone might not suffice to combat jet lag, particularly for older individuals whose SCN is less responsive to light.

This research, one of the first to employ a mathematical model to examine how aging affects circadian synchronization during jet lag, aims to facilitate the development of more effective strategies for preventing and treating jet lag in older travelers.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, pubs.aip.org