Circadian Rhythm

Vitachron: A Powerful Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Based on Chronobiology

No matter how diligent you are in trying to consume a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains, you can never be certain that your body is getting all of the nutrients it needs every day. This is why adding a multivitamin supplement to your daily routine can be beneficial, and may become even more essential as you grow older. A supplement based on chronobiology delivers the greatest health benefits, because it provides specific nutrients exactly at the time of day when they’re most needed.

Why Should Every Adult Take a Multivitamin Supplement?

We know that eating nutritious meals is important, because fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods provide essential nutrients and vitamins. Each type of food contains specific vitamins and nutrients that our bodies use to help us stay healthy. Similarly, each vitamin and nutrient plays a different role in the body, which is why eating a diverse range of foods is also important.

For instance, the vitamin C found in foods like broccoli, cantaloupe and cauliflower helps us maintain a strong immune system, promotes healthy bone density and helps the body produce collagen.

Taking a multivitamin supplement can ensure that your body is getting an adequate supply of most nutrients every day, so you won’t suffer from a deficiency. Additionally, as you grow older, your body may experience difficulty in absorbing all of the nutrients from the foods you eat, so taking a supplement can help make up for that loss.

Aside from the individual functions that each vitamin serves in the body, vitamins can be divided into two groups which each benefit the body differently. Water-soluble vitamins help enzymes in the body transform proteins, carbs and fats into energy. Without a sufficient supply of water-soluble vitamins, this process won’t be as efficient and weight gain could result. Fat-soluble vitamins help form and maintain cell membranes, so a deficiency of these vitamins means that the body’s cells won’t be fully protected and may become damaged. A deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins results in high-functioning cells being unable to function as they should.

What is Chronobiology?

Simply defined, the study of chronobiology examines how the functions of your body are regulated by the body’s biological clock, or circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is primarily controlled by fluctuations in light and darkness, and uses the changing of day into night as a cue to regulate wakefulness versus sleepiness.

Additionally, this rhythm helps determine which biological functions should occur at specified times of day. This helps the body release hormones that tell different parts of the body when to work faster, when to slow down and when to rest. As a result, your body’s processes change from hour to hour, whether or not you notice these changes.

As you age, your internal clocks can slow down and, in some cases, may stop altogether. This leaves seniors more vulnerable to disease and adverse health conditions, which is why sleep disorders often go hand-in-hand with other health conditions. In fact, over 80 illnesses have been associated with a compromised circadian rhythm, pushing researchers in the field of chronobiology to explore how problems with our biological rhythms can lead to disease.

The Benefits of Taking a Supplement Based on Chronobiology

Staying healthy involves helping your circadian rhythm function more efficiently each day. The first consideration is to ensure that you get a full seven to eight hours of sleep each night, but there are many more things you can do to keep your biological clock functioning correctly. For instance, exposing yourself to natural sunlight during the day and making sure your bedroom is as dark as possible at night will also help your circadian rhythm function better.

It is also best to take a multivitamin supplement based on chronobiology to ensure your body is getting the right vitamins at times of day when they will do the most good. Both the Vitachron Male formula and Vitachron Female formula are engineered to ensure that necessary vitamins and nutrients are released at the time of day when they are most needed by the body.

When Does Each Vitamin and Mineral Work Best?

Many vitamins and minerals work best when taken at certain times of day. For example, vitamins A, D, E and K are best absorbed in the morning hours and when taken with calcium. Additionally, vitamin C acts as a stimulant, causing the adrenal gland to become more active. This is why, like vitamin B6, vitamin C should be taken in the morning to avoid evening sleep problems.

Selenium should also be taken in the morning, because when it interacts with vitamins A, C and E, it acts as a powerful antioxidant. Taking selenium along with vitamin E also allows these two nutrients to work in synergy with each other. The morning doses of Vitachron Male and Vitachron Female contain all of these powerful nutrients, and more.

The evening doses of the Vitachron Male and Vitachron Female formulas provide the remaining B vitamins, excluding B6. These vitamins promote a better sleep cycle and negatively interact with calcium, which is why they’re best taken in the evening hours and apart from calcium. Specifically, B3 converts tryptophan to serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones essential to the proper functioning of the sleep cycle.

Magnesium is best taken at night, because it helps improve the functioning of the neurotransmitters associated with sleep. Since magnesium compliments zinc, potassium and chlorine, these compounds are also included with the evening dose of Vitachron Male and Vitachron Female.

Iron and copper are also utilized better when taken at night. Not only are they better absorbed by the body at night, but when taken in the morning with calcium, these compounds can actually cause calcium to become a harmful pro-oxidant. Folic acid has a synergistic relationship with iron, so it should also be included along with iron in the evening dose of any multivitamin supplement.

As this overview shows, a supplement that’s based on your body’s circadian rhythm will provide you with the best protection against illness and adverse health conditions while allowing your body to better utilize each ingredient. Vitachron is a multivitamin supplement based on chronobiology that provides the nutrients your body needs at the times you need them, so your biological systems will function more efficiently. This will help to provide better quality of life, while also helping you feel your best each day.

March 13th is World Sleep Day: What’s the Significance?

Mar 13 by Ewcopywriting

March 13th is World Sleep Day. On this day, the World Sleep Society is issuing a worldwide call to action regarding the importance of getting quality sleep each night. Read below to learn how you can achieve a more restful night.

How Does Getting Sufficient Sleep Improve Your Quality of Life?

It’s common to hear that getting a full seven to eight hours of sleep per night is good for us, but many people don’t know what good all of that rest actually does. The fact is, while we’re resting, our bodies are hard at work performing a broad range of functions. Here’s just a short list of things that happen as a result of getting enough quality sleep each night.

Improved Heart Health

Research has found that people are more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes in the early hours of the day, and that those who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to develop hypertension and high cholesterol.

Optimal Cellular Health

The growth of tumors and cancer is more common in those who work graveyard shifts and sleep during the day. Scientists believe this has something to do with disruption of the circadian rhythm, which regulates sleepiness and wakefulness. By trying to sleep during daylight hours, or with a light turned on, your biological clock is disrupted and that may also affect the body’s immune system.

Reduced Stress

Failing to get enough sleep starts a cycle that can be very difficult to break. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces higher levels of stress hormones. Among the adverse effects these hormones have on the body is interfering with the sleep cycle. Higher levels of stress hormones make it more difficult to sleep soundly, which causes more stress hormones to be produced.

Reduce Inflammation

The stress hormones produced through the lack of quality sleep also cause inflammation throughout the body. While the immune system uses inflammation to help treat injuries and infections, prolonged, or chronic, inflammation is harmful. It increases the risks of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Some scientists believe it also plays a part in causing the physical deterioration we experience as we age.

Improved Cognitive Health

Quality sleep also helps the brain rest and rejuvenate itself. This is why we wake up feeling more refreshed after a good night’s sleep. Specifically, a full night of rest improves memory recall, concentration and mental clarity. This occurs because the resting state provides time for the brain to link memories with sensory input and emotions, making it easier for you to learn new things.

Helping the Body to Help Itself

As you sleep, the body repairs the damage done throughout the day by harmful environmental factors and toxins you have ingested. Even healthy activities, such as physical exercise, cause damage and stress to the body’s muscles and tissue.

During sleep, the muscles, tissue, and organs are repaired and strengthened. This is also the time at which two hormones beneficial to weight loss, ghrelin and leptin, are released into the blood. In depriving yourself of enough sleep, these processes are halted, which is why it’s common for overweight and obese people to also suffer from sleep disorders.

World Sleep Day: Tips For Getting Better Quality Sleep

World Sleep Society established World Sleep Day® 13 years ago, because they wanted to remind us all of the importance of sleep. In addition to recognizing the value that a good night’s sleep provides, this annual event is also an occasion to share helpful tips for getting good quality sleep.

While getting enough rest doesn’t seem like it should be difficult, a large number of people do struggle with getting a full night’s sleep. These tips can help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.

Ditch the Stimulants

Caffeine is among the top culprits in keeping you from enjoying a deep sleep. Experts recommend stopping your caffeine intake at least six hours before bed, so your body will have time to process the last remnants of the stimulant. Additionally, turn off mobile devices at least one hour before bed. The blue light that these devices emit disrupts the circadian rhythm, which will offset your sleep cycle.

Increase Exposure to Daylight

You can also use the circadian rhythm to your benefit by getting more bright light exposure throughout the day. If you fill your waking hours with bright light, especially natural sunlight, the evening darkness will have a more profound effect on your brain. In one sleep study, participants fell asleep 83 percent faster when they were exposed to an increased level of brightness throughout the day.

Engage in Relaxing Exercises

You can also improve your sleep quality by developing a bedtime ritual that emphasizes relaxation. This can involve reading a book, taking a warm bath or meditating by candlelight. Some people find it helpful to listen to soft music just before bed, as well. You can choose any technique that helps you feel more relaxed, as long as it works for you.

Evaluate Your Sleeping Quarters

Sometimes, the problem with getting quality sleep is in the environment, so take the time to examine your sleeping quarters. Determine if your mattress is firm enough to support you comfortably. You may also need to replace your bedding by choosing sheets and blankets that are softer and more comforting. Heavier curtains and blinds can help eliminate any excess light that gets into your bedroom at night. If ambient noises keep you awake at night, try wearing earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs.

If you try all of these suggestions and your quality of sleep doesn’t improve, you may need to consult your doctor. A physician can help you determine the cause of your sleep disorder and may prescribe supplements to help you sleep better. Since getting sufficient sleep affects every aspect of your life, suffering with a sleep disorder is not something you should do for long.

The Best Time of Day to Take Nutrients for Heart Health

Feb 28 by Ewcopywriting

Our bodies’ biological functions are regulated by a 24-hour internal clock, more commonly known as the circadian rhythm. This system determines when certain compounds are released and used by our organs, as well as when different organ systems are most active. By studying the bodily systems and processes that adhere to this 24-hour rhythm, scientists have discovered that certain nutrients for heart health are more effective during specific times in the day.

This knowledge provides the basis for chronotherapy, the practice of timing the administration of nutrients in order to maximize their effectiveness. Research has found that many nutrients for heart health work best at a particular time of day, which is why taking a chronobiologically formulated supplement can help maximize the effectiveness of the ingredients it contains.

The Importance of Chronobiology

Research into chronobiology has determined that every organ in the body, as well as certain biological processes, have their own 24-hour rhythms. By researching these rhythms and studying how they are affected by different chemical compounds, researchers can determine which nutrients should be introduced into the biology of an individual at a given time of day for optimum effectiveness.

Currently, research of this type is helping to create dietary supplements that provide the maximum benefits to an individual with the least negative side effects. These types of supplements incorporate nutrients that are best taken in the morning into a specially formulated morning dose, while a separate evening dose provides nutrients that will be more effective at night. By adhering to the recommended dosage timing, an individual will maximize the benefits the supplements provide.

Additionally, supplements that are based on chronobiology are engineered to be mindful of substances that can interfere with the effectiveness of certain nutrients. There may be some interactions between various vitamins and minerals that interfere with the effectiveness of each nutrient. In recognizing those compounds that work together and those that don’t, and formulating accordingly, a supplement based on chronobiology can be used more efficiently by the body.

When Are Nutrients for Heart Health Most Effective?

One cutting-edge supplement that utilizes chronobiology for maximum effectiveness is Cardiochron. Recognizing how this supplement takes into account the body’s circadian rhythm while administering nutrients for heart health is essential: The effectiveness of Cardiochron depends on adhering to a predetermined morning and evening dosage schedule.

For instance, the body is more efficient at absorbing calcium in the morning hours, so it is most beneficial when taken in the morning. In taking a supplement that contains calcium, it’s also important to note that several nutrients adversely interact with it. For this reason, these nutrients should be taken in a separate dose in the evening for ultimate effectiveness. These compounds include most B vitamins and magnesium.

Vitamin C and B6, along with certain trace elements, are also best administered in the morning. When administered together, vitamin C and vitamin B6 help to create natural energy by stimulating the adrenal glands. Conversely, when taken at night, these two vitamins can hinder sleep.

Along the same lines, certain nutrients should be taken in the evening as close to bedtime as possible, because of the way they interact with the body’s rest and rejuvenation cycle. These nutrients include all of the B complex vitamins with the exception of vitamin B6. Additionally, magnesium should be included in an evening dose, as it promotes restful sleep and can be best absorbed and used by the body at night.

More Nutrients to Boost Your Heart Health

In addition to the vitamins and nutrients previously discussed, there are a few other heart healthy ingredients you should look for in your daily heart health supplement. All of these nutrients can be found in Cardiochron, and their benefits are explored below.

Coenzyme Q10

This nutrient is also called CoQ10 and can be especially beneficial to those already suffering from cardiovascular disease. This is because it has been shown to help reduce the risks of secondary heart failure and improves the outcomes for those who do experience heart attacks. It can also be effective in helping to maintain blood pressure within normal ranges and in counteracting the side effects of statins, which are used to control LDL cholesterol levels.

L-Carnitine

This compound was found effective in reducing the risks of ventricular arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Research also found that this nutrient helped reduce premature mortality from all causes by 27 percent. Additional research suggests that L-carnitine is effective in protecting against repeat heart attacks.

Lycopene

Acting as an antioxidant, lycopene may help protect against prostate conditions and cardiovascular disease. It may also inhibit the production of LDL (bad cholesterol), so could help maintain cholesterol levels within normal ranges. Aside from a supplement, lycopene can also be derived from tomatoes and tomato-based products, such as ketchup and spaghetti sauce.

Nattokinase

Nattokinase has been shown to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular causes. It has also been shown to help maintain healthy blood pressure within normal ranges, protect against risk of stroke, encourage healthy circulation, protect against deep vein thrombosis and protect artery health.

Many of these compounds work together to create powerful antioxidants that combat free radicals in the body. In this way, they also help reduce oxidative stress that can raise the risks of unhealthy cell growth and cardiovascular disease. There’s even evidence that suggests a good supply of antioxidants in the body can slow the process of aging for cells in the body. This suggests providing your body with these essential nutrients on a daily basis can keep you feeling younger and healthier for longer.

Biological Clocks, the Master of Our Health

Feb 11 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Chances are, you’ve heard of the term “biological clock,” while this is often times associated with women’s fertility and childbearing abilities, the truth is, almost all of the body’s biological processes are coordinated and timed by these internal biological clocks. The human body is comprised of a variety of biological clocks and rhythms. While these rhythms were once a mystery to scientists and doctors, there is now a growing body of research that can explain how almost all of our biological processes, from sleep to digestion to blood pressure control and brain function, are all linked to internal clocks and rhythms.

This new understanding of the body’s rhythms and internal clocks is known as the science of chronobiology, or the study of internal clocks and timing, and this research is paving the way for new advances in health and medicine.

The Clocks and Rhythms of Life

There are many different types of internal clocks that govern our bodies. Three of which are circadian, ultradian and infradian rhythms.

Circadian rhythms, which are the most well recognized, correlate with the 24-hour light/dark cycle of the earth’s rotation. These types of rhythms control various processes that occur once per 24-hour period, such as the human sleep-wake cycle.

Ultradian rhythms, which govern shorter cycles such as hunger, heart rate, digestion and other processes that occur multiple times in a 24-hour day.

In contrast, infradian rhythms are cycles occur in cycles that last longer than the popular 24-hour circadian rhythms, with a complete cycle taking 28-hours or more. A good example of infradian rhythms are the hormonal cycles of adult human females, or the various cell processes and hormone levels that adjust according to the season.

These various body clocks work together to prepare our bodies for the demands of different times of the day, month, and year.

The Circadian Rhythm: The Master Clock

The circadian rhythm is the best understood of body’s internal clocks as it is present in nearly every known living organism. This 24-hour clock governs a diverse range of processes such as sleep, DNA repair, and cell regeneration.

While primitive cells are damaged by the sun and heat during the day, they are able to use the nighttime hours for necessary DNA repair and other healing processes. Although the human circadian rhythm is far more complex than the concept of daytime damage and evening repair, this formula is the most comprehensive explanation of how our body uses the night time hours as a time for cell repair, regeneration, and a chance to chemically prepare for important events. This evening reset ensures that all biological processes occur at the right time and in the right order.

How the Body’s Clocks Are Set

All clock-like and rhythmic processes are timed carefully by our brain, specifically, by the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus receives timing cues called zeitgebers, or external or environmental cues, and uses them to keep clocks in sync with each other and with the demands of our environment.

For the circadian rhythm, our retinas receive the zeitgeber of light from the environment around us and passes the light signal to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus then signals the pineal gland to suppress melatonin production (a hormone that makes us sleepy) while telling other areas of the brain to increase production of hormones associated with wakefulness.

In contract, when our retinas sense lower, or a lack of external light, the hypothalamus assumes nightfall is coming. This is especially true if the lowered light is combined with other cues indicating night as well, such as a lower temperature. The hypothalamus then gives the pineal gland the green light to make melatonin, and the body prepares itself for sleep mode.

Internal Clocks and Your Health

The body’s internal clocks are not just important for our sleep patterns, but essential for whole body health as well. For example, if our internal clocks do not signal for DNA repair to occur, and this process is skipped or not taking place properly, the body’s cells will begin to lose their ability to function, which can then result in gene mutations, illness and can even lead to cancer.

Depending on the ability for our body to maintain proper internal clock cycles, these biological rhythms can either work to our benefit and ultimate well-being, or work against us. One branch of the science of chronobiology is chronopharmacology (also known as chronotherapy), which researches therapeutic approaches based on the basic principles of chronobiology and the understanding of the body’s rhythms and internal clocks.

Chronotherapy works effectively through combining the optimal ingredients and medication formulas, the right dosage amounts, and an understanding of the select organs or relationships involved, in order to deliver the substances at the most effective time of day to yield the best results with less side effects.

This type of research has led to many insights into treating diverse diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Other research has taken this approach to ensure that chemotherapy is now timed to hit cancerous cells at the most vulnerable time in their cell cycle, which reduces the risk to healthy cells.

From a scientific perspective, the body’s internal clocks are fascinating, but they are even more fascinating from a medical standpoint. Understanding the complicated processes the body undergoes, and the various timing associated with them, is leading to a better understanding of the interaction between health and disease, and allowing researchers to develop new and more effective treatment options. Because our body’s biological clocks are essential to our health, focusing on maintaining and treating biological rhythms and rhythm disorders is a new and promising field of health care and preventative health.

Exploring the Beneficial Effects of Melatonin

Jan 24 by Ewcopywriting

Melatonin is a hormone best known for its role in preparing the brain for sleep. Due to its effectiveness in this respect, it’s the primary ingredient in many sleep supplements. Outside of the United States and Canada, melatonin-based formulas are only available with a doctor’s prescription. While some argue that using melatonin for sleep isn’t always effective, people suffering from insomnia find that it can help them sleep better in most cases. We already know that there are many positive effects of melatonin, but new research is still uncovering more benefits provided by this amazing hormone.

What is Melatonin?

To understand melatonin and its effect on the body, it’s important to first understand how and why it’s produced. Our bodies rely on a biological clock to function, known as our circadian rhythm. Among the other bodily functions it regulates, the circadian rhythm helps the brain differentiate between wakefulness and sleep. This is a process that relies on the changes between light and dark. As the sun goes down and the sky gets darker, the brain recognizes that it’s soon nearing time for sleep and releases melatonin to promote drowsiness.

Unfortunately for those who work irregular shifts, melatonin production is inhibited during the day, which is why it’s harder to get to sleep in the mornings and afternoons. People who follow irregular sleep schedules experience insomnia and other sleep disorders more commonly because the production of melatonin has been interrupted. This is also why a sleep formula containing melatonin can be more effective for those who work these types of schedules. Their bodies need that extra boost of melatonin during the day, when their brains won’t naturally produce the hormone in sufficient quantities.

What are the Positive Effects of Melatonin?

There have been multiple studies on the effects that melatonin has on the body, leading to the discovery that it can do more than just help you get a good night’s sleep. One of the surprising effects of melatonin is that it can help alleviate the symptoms of jet lag. A study that started in 2010 and lasted for four years looked at the effects that melatonin had on 142 travelers. In that study, researchers found that subjects who were given melatonin supplements experienced less severe jet lag symptoms than travelers who were given a placebo. Those taking the supplement experienced more restful sleep, reduced instances of daytime tiredness and fewer digestion problems.

Melatonin was also found to help people suffering from delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, or DSWPD. This is a condition in which the individual can’t fall asleep until 2:00 a.m. or later and end up sleeping well into the afternoon. Including a 2016 study of 52 subjects, research has found that taking melatonin supplements at the right time in the evening helped people with DSWPD to fall asleep earlier. They also fell asleep faster, taking an average of 22 minutes to nod off.

A 2015 research project looked at 774 patients and found melatonin was also effective in reducing anxiety prior to surgery. Many people suffer severe bouts of anxiety just before undergoing a surgical procedure, but taking a melatonin supplement seemed to alleviate those emotions. While it wasn’t clear whether or not melatonin was effective in treating post-surgery anxiety, it was found to be just as effective as anti-anxiety medications in treating pre-surgery anxiety.

Research into the positive benefits of melatonin is ongoing. Current and future studies are looking into the hormone’s effect on cancer symptoms, high blood pressure, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and intestinal illnesses.

How Can You Get More Melatonin Naturally?

Take a Supplement

As the previously cited studies show, a melatonin supplement can help you maintain adequate levels of melatonin when you need it most. A high-quality melatonin supplement can be beneficial because a single dose contains a sufficient amount of melatonin to help you get the restful sleep you need. Additionally, certain time-controlled melatonin formulas ensure the melatonin will have the best possible effect on your sleep cycle.

Get More Daylight

Sunlight is beneficial in controlled exposure, because its rays encourage vitamin D production in the body. Additionally, exposing yourself to natural daylight will help regulate your circadian rhythm. The sun’s rays help promote the production of serotonin, which the brain needs to produce more melatonin. In this way, getting more sunlight in the mornings promotes more efficient melatonin production in the evenings.

Turn Off Your Electronic Devices

Most people don’t realize the harm they’re doing when they use their smartphone or tablet just before bed. The blue light that these screens give off disrupts the circadian rhythm, preventing the brain from producing sufficient levels of melatonin. Doctors recommend shutting off all electronic devices at least one hour before your bedtime to give the brain enough time to adjust. This will ensure the hormone will be properly released as you near your bedtime.

Eat Melatonin-Rich Foods

There are certain foods that promote the production of melatonin, so you should consider adding these foods to your diet to ensure you’ll sleep better. Some melatonin-rich foods include asparagus, corn, cucumbers, olives, nuts and seeds. Barley and rolled oats are also helpful in promoting melatonin production.

Sleep on Your Back

This position is a popular yoga pose that’s commonly called the corpse pose, because it helps the body reach a deeper state of relaxation. As you lay on your back and breathe deeply, the brain will begin releasing a higher concentration of melatonin. This is why many people find it easier to fall asleep in this position.

The Best Time to Take Omega-3 for Optimum Effectiveness

Sep 19 by Ewcopywriting

Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids is one of the most salient health trends of the past decade. Physicians are increasingly recommending these oily supplements for a variety of purposes, from helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels within normal ranges to combating the physical effects of aging. But when is the best time to take omega-3 supplements?

Most people who take these supplements believe that they can be taken at any time of day without a dramatic difference in effect. A new study suggests that this may not be the case. Could the time of day that you take your omega-3 supplement make a dramatic difference in its effects?

Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements

It is almost impossible to read the latest health news without learning about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. These oils, which are found naturally in fish, flaxseed and a variety of other sources, have been found in studies to have a variety of health benefits. These include:

• reducing the chances of having a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event
• protecting cellular health, particularly in the breasts, lungs, colon and prostate
• helping to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and other blood lipids that increase cardiac risk
• treating metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes
• protecting against insulin resistance and helping to maintain healthy blood glucose levels
• preserving healthy vision while reducing the risk of blindness and other vision loss
• encouraging brain growth and development both in pregnancy and in the first several years of life
• protecting against inflammation, especially long-term inflammation that can lead to tissue damage
• promoting optimal mental health and mood and soothing anxiety
• reducing the effects of ADHD in children and adults with this disorder
• offering benefits in cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia

It is clear that taking an omega-3 supplement can have many physical and mental benefits. However, we are still learning how to maximize these effects.

When is the Best Time to Take Omega-3 Supplements?

According to new research, taking omega-3 fatty acids at certain times of day may increase their proven health benefits. For most health concerns, the best time to take omega-3 is at night. Taking these supplements at night will maximize their effects on inflammation, pain and cardiovascular health because night is when these pathways are most active. If you are taking a supplement for arthritic pain or to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels within normal ranges, night time is the period when your omega-3 supplement will produce optimal effects.

In addition, taking these supplements at night may minimize their side effects. “Fishy burps” and a fishy taste in the mouth are the two most complained-about side effects of these supplements. Many find that they do not notice these symptoms when they take the supplements just before retiring to bed in the evening.

For most people, taking omega-3 fatty acids at night will have the most beneficial effects on health with the fewest side effects. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed best when eaten with other high-fat foods. If your fattiest meal is not in the evening, you may want to take your supplements at another time to increase the proportion that is absorbed.

The Circadian Rhythm and Medications

Omega-3 fatty acids are not the only supplements or medications for which timing can make a difference. Research has found that taking other medications and supplements at certain times of the day can increase their health benefits while reducing side effects and other unwanted factors.

For example, blood pressure medications usually work best when they are taken at night, just before bedtime. Studies have found that people who take this type of medication in the evening have a one-third lower risk of having heart attacks and strokes compared to patients who take their medications in the morning. Medications for heartburn similarly appear to work much more effectively when taken in the evening.

Part of this phenomenon is due to the circadian rhythm of disease. Every disease, and even every organ in the body, has a time of day when there is more risk. Heart attacks and strokes, for example, are more likely to occur in the early morning hours when cortisol is high. Taking medications several hours before this time ensures that there will be plenty of active ingredient in your bloodstream at the time when your body is most vulnerable.

Is an Omega-3 Supplement Right for You?

An omega-3 fatty acid supplement is not right for everyone; there are certain people who should talk to their doctor about whether this oily pill should have a permanent place in their medicine cabinet. If you do not regularly eat fatty fish or high omega-3 plant oils, you may want to consider taking a supplement. This essential fatty acid is simply too essential to completely do without.

In addition, you should consider taking an omega-3 supplement if you are concerned about any of the health concerns omega-3 can benefit. People who suffer from osteoarthritis or heart disease, for example, should talk to their doctors about whether this supplement is right for them.

The Western diet is low in fish oils and other healthy fats. However, the science is clear: People need omega-3 oils to thrive. Because they are extremely safe and have few possible side effects, adding one of these supplements to your regimen (and taking it at night!) will likely be a net positive for your well-being.