Circadian Rhythms and the Gut Microbiome

by | Aug 27, 2015 | Probiotic Blog

How you feel during the day is controlled by your body’s called circadian rhythms. These rhythms are basically the way your body uses the energy from the food you eat.  Throughout the day the brain and liver communicate based on the nutrients they have obtained and send signals to the rest of your body in the form of sleep patterns and mental states. Scientist have begun to research if the gut microbiome could have an effect on the body’s circadian rhythms as well.

The gut microbiome is made up of bacteria that aid the body in digestion. There are positive and negative types of bacteria and the key to maintaining a healthy digestion system is making sure there is plenty of good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are supplements that charge your gut with good bacteria like lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. They are proven to help balance the gut, and a balanced gut is necessary for mental states, energy levels and overall immunity.

Circadian Rhythms in Mice

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago conducted a study on mice to determine the significance of the gut mircobiome’s effect on circadian rhythms. In the study mice with a normal gut microbiome were fed a high-fat diet, which led to less variation in their circadian cycles. The variations are what let us sleep and wake at certain times, and these mice show that a high fat diet could be what is causing your sleepless nights. The scientists from this study are moving forward with more research as they try to zero-in on how certain diets can affect the health and rhythm of the body.

Do you find that at night you can’t sleep and in the day you are always tired? Consider eating more foods that encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut and begin taking probiotic supplement that will balance your gut microbiome. A healthy mind and body starts in the gut. Regulate your circadian rhythms with probiotics today!

About the Author

Dr. Shawn Benzinger, D.C., DABCO, FIAMA

Co-Founder, CEO | Dr. Benzinger is a certified Chiropractic Orthopedist, Acupuncturist, and Nutritionist with a passion to help people live healthier, self-sufficient lives. He has served as a national spokesperson and talk show host on areas relating to nutrition, chronic pain, and alternative health care for over 20 years. Dr. Benzinger regularly consults on musculo-skeletal and nutritional management for elite athletes across the country, and he has been working to help educate the Indianapolis community on nutrition and chronic pain for the last 36 years.