An online event about the circadian rhythm and the role it plays in metabolic disorders was organized by the Institute of Public Health (IPH), The American College of Greece, on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. The event featured a presentation by Melpomeni Peppa, Professor of Endocrinology at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens and Director of Endocrine and Bone Metabolic Disorders Unit at the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine Propaedeutic Research Institute & Diabetes Center “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens.
Professor Peppa stressed that the circadian rhythm disorder, a result of disturbances in the human biological clock, is associated with the development of cardiovascular and psychiatric diseases. For children and adolescents, circadian rhythm disruption could also result in behavioral disorders.
The circadian rhythm balance is a prerequisite for the optimal functioning of the human body; by regulating the normal hormone production, the circadian rhythm protects against diabetes, obesity, depression, aging and more.
Having a healthy lifestyle, including a normal sleep-wake cycle, avoidance of electronic media or artificial light use during the night, good eating habits such as early dinner and being physically active are some tips that relate to the maintenance of a healthy circadian rhythm.
For more information, you may read the press release of the event (in Greek) as well as watch the video of the lecture here.