A new study from the Center for Interdisciplinary Chronobiological Research at Israel's University of Haifa has found an additional link between Light At Night (LAN) and cancer.
The researchers, headed by Prof. Abraham Haim, hypothesized that LAN harms production of melatonin, a hormone that is released from the pineal gland during the dark part of the 24-hour cycle and which is linked to the body's cyclical night-day activity and seasonality. When this hormone is suppressed, the occurence of cancer rises.
The researchers noted that, "Exposure to LAN disrupts our biological clock and affects the cyclical rhythm."
Earlier studies at the university have shown that people living in areas that have more night-time illumination are more susceptible to prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
In one of these earlier studies, according to Haim, artificial Light At Night cancels out the sun's natural setting time, the body's continuous exposure to high levels of light disrupts the biological clock and thereby damages the circadian regulation of body cells, tissue, organs and systems.
"Watching TV at night can cause obesity, not only due to inactivity and overeating, but also because it upsets the body's natural daily cycle. Chapter three of Ecclesiastes says, 'Everything has an appointed season, and there is a time for every matter under the heaven.' " said Prof. Haim
source:
http://israel21c.org/201011018492/briefs/more-evidence-for-lan-cancer-link
http://israel21c.org/201012028584/health/artificial-light-at-night-may-cause-obesity
