Circadian Rhythm : All beings in the universe are subject to the circadian rhythm which in basic form is day and night. The term circadian comes from the Latin word “circa”which means “around” (or “approximately”), and “diem” or “dies” meaning “day”.
Several biochemical changes occuring in the body are unique during daytime and during nighttime. For example, DNA is repaired only during nighttime. The rhythms repeat once a day. The rhythms persist in the absence of external cues (endogenous). The rhythms can be adjusted to match the local time (entrainable). The rhythms maintain circadian periodicity over a range of physiological temperatures.
In the Western world, the earliest known account of a circadian process dates from the 4th century BC. However, in the Eastern world, circadian rhythms were known to the ancient Seers 5000-10000 years BC.
According to Ayurveda, an ancient sytem of Medicine from India( dating back to about 5000-10000 years BC), there are 6 time cycles during a 24 hr period. From 6-10AM is called the “kapha” phase or relative restful period. During this phase, your body is just getting ready to be awake. Since, the metabolism is still slow, breakfast should be light, contrary to the present day myth of eating a large breakfast. After 10 Am, the second phase called “Pitta” or “fiery”starts and goes on until 2 PM. During this time, your meatbolism is ideal and this is the time to eat lunch which should be heavy because body can digest it. From 2 Pm to 6 PM is the next phase called “Vata” or “Airy” during which there is peak activity of the body, maximum output of work is achieved during this time, your pulse rate is faster and your mind is highly active. Come 6PM starts the “Kapha” or relative restful phase again which goes til 10 PM. The body, including your activating system, starts shutting down at 6 PM and is completely shut down by 10 PM. Your dinner, therefore, should be before 6 PM. The longer you wait from 6 PM onwards, the longer it will take for food to digest. It also follws that you should sleep by 10 PM. If you don’t, you won’t be able to sleep till the next phase of “Pitta’ or “fiery” phase kicks in which will last till 2 AM . From 2 AM to 6 AM is the last phase of “Vata” or airy phase again, however you are asleep. Around 6 AM, there is sudden surge of adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, growth hormone, steroids and other hormones and the body wakes up. During this period, because there is maximum amount of hormonal and biochemical activity, maximum number of heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and deliveries occur. Simply conforming to the natural circadian rhythm of the universe is a perfect and essential recipe for a blissful health.
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