The 'bodyclock' mechanisms in people, also known as circadian rhythms, are under neuro (nerve)-endocrine (glandular) control, and under normal circumstances, function in a synchronized manner. The symptoms known as 'jet lag' (also jetlag or jet-lag), are not due to fatigue, but to de-synchronization of body rhythms.
Daily body rhythms are also know as circadian rhythms. See below.
"About a day". In humans the circadian rhythm is a little more than twenty-four hours, and without any signals (light, food, activity) from the outside to reset it to the earth's twenty-four-hour day and night cycle, it would run with amazing precision within minutes of its set tempo.
The body clock's principal control center is a part of the hypothalamus gland in the brain which processes nerve signals.
Recent research has emphasized the strong effect bright light can have on a person's body clock. Your Stop Jet Lag instructions take advantage of lighting influences, making them part of its comprehensive approach to beating jet lag. More On Light Therapy...
Melatonin is a substance naturally produced by our bodies' pineal gland. It is a synthesis of two compounds, tryptophan (an amino acid) and serotonin (a neurotransmitter) and is central to the bodies' preparedness for sleep. Thus, melatonin is another powerful 'zeitgeber' and the recommendations for melatonin supplement use in your Stop Jet Lag Plan are based on the latest research of Dr. Alfred Lewy and reviewed by Dr. Charles Ehret. More On Melatonin...
Based on your flight times and your personal profile there will be an optimal time and day to shift to a new time zone to minimize sleep deprivation on your transition. For an example of how this is done follow this link: More On The Optimal Time to Shift...
A neurotransmitter that is abundant in the digestive tract and in the brain. Its levels in the blood typically rise at night and are associated with sleep.
One of the most important objectives of Stop Jet Lag is to help you avoid sleep deprivation which is often a result of jet lag and compounds the problem. Flight times and personal profile are taken into account by the program to optimize sleep options. More On Avoiding Sleep Deprivation...
Zeitgebers are agents, such as bright light, melatonin, food, caffeine, exercise, and social or interpersonal stimulation, that regulate or shift the phase of a circadian rhythm, establishing your body clock setting.