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The human body clock could be ‘reset’ with a pill which could cure jet lag, scientists are reported to have discovered.
Manchester University researchers found that an enzyme keeps the body operating on a normal 24-hour circadian rhythm.
When that enzyme is suppressed that rhythm effectively resets itself, making it easier for the body to adapt to being up at night or asleep in the daytime.
Previous studies have shown that when the body’s clock is out of sync for long periods of time it can lead to serious and even fatal health problems.
Team leader Dr David Bechtold was reported by The Telegraph as saying the findings paved the way for the invention of a pill to inhibit enzyme CK1epsilon in humans.
He said: “We already know that modern society poses many challenges to our health and wellbeing – things that are viewed as commonplace, such as shift-work, sleep deprivation, and jet lag disrupt our body’s clocks.
“It is now becoming clear that clock disruption is increasing the incidence and severity of diseases including obesity and diabetes.
“We are not genetically pre-disposed to quickly adapt to shift-work or long-haul flights, and as so our bodies’ clocks are built to resist such rapid changes.”