Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Dark Side Of Light At Night





Every Urbanite knows that the bright lights of the city make it impossible to see all the stars in a night sky. What most of us don't know is that those bright lights might also be making us sick, as what some researchers, biologist, epidemiologist found out.


Did you know that light at night is one of many human or people's health hazard especially to us women? In some research, too much exposure to light at night decreases our melatonin level and possible contributor to the increased incidence of breast cancer, depressions and/or may lead to chronic fatigue.


Richard Stevens an epidemiologist at The University of Connecticut Health Centre, has developed the idea that light at night can disrupt critical hormone levels that affect human health. Another study Stevens worked on, showed that  women who worked the overnight shift seemed to have substantially higher at risk of breast cancer rather than those visually impaired woman. How is that happened? The key is melatonin, produced in the brain's pineal gland only when the eyes signal it is dark. Production begins around nightfall, peaks between 1 a.m and 2 a.m, and shuts off during the day. Those who worked under lightning at night could be reducing the amount of melatonin they produce. Experiments have shown that melatonin may inhibit oestogen from stimulating the growth of beast cancer cells, which explains why blind woman presumably maintain high melatonin levels rather than those night shifter woman worker.


What can you say about these studies? What important is we are aware of what's happening and what are the possible effect of too much light at night for us human, especially for us women.







Image credit; google.com
Source; Reader's Digest - June 2003 Edition,vol 81 no.483

28 comments:

  1. informative post especially for women, never knew bright lights at night are too dangerous !

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    1. Hi Sobha,:) Thanks for visiting..:)Muahhh.. Keep coming..:)

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  2. Hello Sis, how about us men? And would I consider at our situation here at work, it's just like all night because we are not exposed to sunlight, hence day and night we are exposed to fluorescent lights, is that too much harmful for our health?

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    1. Hi Prime,:) How are you? Hope you are okay even though you are exposed to fluorescent light almost the whole day at work..But dont worry Prime, the study shows that it was more on us women, but ofcourse it can be possible too on men, yes, just like you too much on light at day time can cause headache right? stress,hahaha..

      Anyway, thanks a lot Prime..:) Have a wonderful day!:)

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  3. wow..I did not know that
    Thanks for sharing ,Sis.

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    1. Hi izi!:) Your welcome!:) Thanks a lot too for coming..:) More hug and kisses!:)

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  4. I've heard about how light could decreases our melatonin level. I've read it somewhere in facebook, I think...

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  5. It's scary on knowing the side effects of the light. We women are facing health threat.

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    1. Hi Balqis, thanks for dropping by!:) Muaaahhh!! hug you tight!:)

      Right, scary but hope we can avoid it by not using light on time stated 1 a.m and 2 a.m it This study can be true or not, just think what you can save, energy and money by turning off the light at night.. hahaha..

      Have a wonderful day Balqis..:) Muaaaaahhhh..:)

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  6. I definitely had no idea about this. As urbanization increases and we all become night owls, these 'bright lights' become necessary. Never thought that it could be so dangerous. Living in cities, we can't escape this, can we?

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    1. Hi Sui,:) Muaaaaaahhhh...:) Thanks for sharing comment and always coming in..:)

      About the study, it can be avoided,by not using light at night especially on the times showed, i a.m and 2 a.m

      Thanks Liza..:)

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  7. I had never heard that before. No lights where we live though!

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  8. Very interesting dear, there area so many things we don't know.
    Thanks for sharing, there is always a bit of truth anyway. Take care.

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    1. Hi Marie, thanks a lot for dropping by.:) More hug and kisses..God bless..:)

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Hi Sui,:) Muaaaahhhhhhh!!!:) My apology about your comment Sweety..:) I received it on my mail, but I don't know why it wasn't here on my post. Sorry for that trouble..:)

      Have a wonderful day Sui...:)

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  10. This post is very enlighting especially for the girls...

    What is the speed of darkness?

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    1. Hi Noblesse Key, thanks for visiting.:) The speed of darkness was not measured on these study, but it shows what time does melatonin usually produce, its begins at nightfall and shuts off day time.

      Thanks a lot Noblesse, have a wonderful evening.:)

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  11. Oh great information! Thank you sagi for sharing :)

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  12. Hi Kitty, you're always welcome!! Thanks for dropping by..:)

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  13. What nature has set is for the welfare of all. Night is meant for rest. Nature has provided us with night so that we can rest and recharge our batteries. And, people suffer because of their own greed, greed for longer days for more work, more success! How sad!
    Thank you so much for sharing such a valuable post!

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    1. Hi Suresh,:) Thanks a lot for visiting and sharing us comment here..:) Thank you so much my friend!:) Have a wonderful day!:)

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  14. thank you for sharing this Ate..so I have to avoid it at least..visiting you po ;)

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    1. Hi Sis,:) Thanks a lot for visiting..:) Take care always!:)

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  15. Have a great week

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  16. postingan yang bagus tentang The Dark Side Of Light At Night

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..I would love to hear from you..:)