DEFINITIONS

Aging: The process by which mitochondria slowly weaken over time, cannot generate enough electric power, and cannot produce enough water to keep your tissues hydrated.

 

Artificial light: Artificial light includes computer screens, flat-screen TVs, indoor lighting, and the light emitted by cell phones. Artificial light is detrimental because it is dominated by blue light frequencies and not balanced like the natural sun.

 

Blue Light: Natural blue light from the sun is what wakes us up in the morning and  sets your circadian rhythm. Blue light from the sun is healthy because it's balance by other parts of the spectrum, namely red light. Unopposed blue light from artificial sources, such as computer screens, flat-screen TVs, indoor lighting, and cell phones is harmful, especially at night after the sun sets.

 

Blue Light Toxic: An individual addicted to the blue light emitted from cell phones, computer screens, and flat screen TV's. Blue light toxic individuals cannot sleep, have low dopamine levels, and thus engage in addictive behaviors, such as  over-eating, gambling, and substance abuse. 

 

Circadian: The name “circadian” means almost a day. The term is derived from the Latin phrase “circa diem,” meaning “about a day." Circadian refers to biological variations or rhythms with a cycle of approximately 24 hours.

 

Circadian rhythm: The circadian rhythm is any biological process on any level from biochemistry to human behavior which has an approximately 24-hour timing mechanism. Circadian rhythms influence important functions in the human body, such as sleep patterns, hormone release, appetite, digestion, and temperature regulation.

 

Chronotherapy: A treatment strategy that takes a patient's circadian rhythms into account when planning the timing and dosage of drugs. 

 

Cortisol: The hormone that helps wake us up in the morning. In humans, the plasma concentration of cortisol rises in the morning and declines in the afternoon and evening.

 

Dopamine: The major neurotransmitter in the brain which controls thinking and cognitive ability. Low dopamine is associated with addiction and depression. 

 

Flicker: The rapid, intermittent flashing of light, that happens below the level of perception, which can cause ailments such as migraine headaches, visual impairment, and in extreme cases, epileptic seizures.

 

Hormone: Messenger molecules of the human body which absorb and emit light as information.

 

Melatonin: A hormone mainly produced by your mitochondria. Melatonin is programmed produced in the morning by natural sunlight and released at night in response to darkness. Melatonin is important for appetite regulation. Insufficient sleep will melatonin secretion, leading to increased food intake.

 

Nitric oxide: A gas produced when the sun touches your skin that helps increase blood flow. 

 

Pineal gland: The pineal gland synthesizes melatonin in response to light information received through the eyes. The pineal gland measures the duration of the dark and light periods.

 

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): A sense of unaccountable depression, sleepiness, irritability, carbohydrate craving, and weight gain that many people experience in winter when nights are longer and they get less exposure to sunlight. 

 

Suprachiasmatic Nuclei (SCN): The SCN is the master biological clock located in the hypothalamus. In humans, light information is first perceived by your eyes, this information is then relayed through our retino hypothalamic pathway to the super chiasmic nuclei (SCN). The SCN is the central pacemaker that orchestrates circadian rhythms throughout your body.

 

SunDiet™: While most diets revolve around eating healthy foods and exercising, the SunDiet™  is a lifestyle plan based on your environmental fitness. The SunDiet™ focuses the aspects of your physical surroundings that accelerate aging and cause health problems. The Sun Diet asserts that all health care problems stem from a poor light environment, the unmitigated use of technology, and lastly, poor food choices.

 

Zeitgeber: The term means "time-givers" or environmental cues that regulate an organism's circadian rhythm. Light is a major zeitgeber that entrains circadian rhythms.