Do you have cravings for hunger in the middle of the night? Do they catch you eating a cake in front of the fridge? A new study shows that eating late at night can make our skin more vulnerable to sun damage.
Dr. Joseph Takahashi of the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas and colleagues at the Southwest Medical Center in Dallas have found that unusual eating times can alter the circadian rhythm in the skin of mice. In particular, an enzyme called xeroderma pigmentosa group A, which usually protects the skin from damage from ultraviolet rays. Thus he becomes more active at night than during the day. The results of their study with mice were published in the journal Cell Reports.
The researchers concluded by evaluating the effects of UVB exposure on the skin of two groups of mice. Those who ate during the day and not at night, which is generally unusual for rodents, received more skin damage as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays than those who ate at normal times.
The team also found that altered feeding patterns in rodents affected about 10% of their skin genes.
Whether from the sun or tanning beds, UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells and increase the risk of sunburn, aging and skin cancer.
Types of rays:
UVA- represent up to 95% of the UV rays that reach the earth's surface. They penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and are a major cause of aging. They also play an important role in the development of skin cancer.
UVB- cause the most damage to the outer layers of the skin and are the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer.
Wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreen are two of the best ways to protect our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. However, a new study by Dr. Takashi and colleagues shows that adhering to a normal diet can also help in this regard.