The Biological Clock; How Our Body is Programmed to Function

Chronic stress, be it psychological or disease-induced, raises stress hormone levels to a dangerously high level that instead of boosting metabolism will have an opposite effect, through the negative feedback loop. Small stress, fondly called eustress, raises biological(physiological) function and prepares the body for the daily activities. Its release is controlled by the biological clock and follows pulses in a 24-hour-cycle(circadian rhythm).

The master clock, hence the entire genome with its control of the body function, is governed  by the environmental gene switches, mainly sunlight(night/day) and temperature, hence vibrational energy, and meals. In fact, our development right in the womb responds to these cues. So we can readily see what chronic stress, with the resulting stress hormone release, which is not in little, small physiological waves(pulses), induced from captured environmental vibrations, does to an unborn baby in the mother's womb.

Too much stress also prevents learning as high levels of the hormone interfere with connections between brain cells and compromise memory formation and consolidation. Repair and growth are hampered. Aging is promoted.

The physiological function occurs in well coordinated and orchestrated waves of nerve and hormonal activities, with periods of organ metabolism(growth) interspersed by rest in the day; metabolism(repair/immunity)and rest in the night. These are organized by individual organ clocks which take  cues principally from the main clock, governed mainly by light and darkness. The cells that capture and transduce this energy are situated in the hypothalamus, in the brain.

Each organ has its own set of clock cells in this part of the brain and signals spread from one set to the other, to be in harmony(synchrony), as they make their way, at different rates, to their respective organs of the body. Hence, our breathing rate is different from our heart beat. The pituitary, the master gland, will then control different organs with the different hormones, while the master hormone(corticosteroids) is affecting cell metabolism in all cells.

  

Food and temperature, which in moderation will release useful amounts of the stress hormones, and of course insulin, will affect liver, kidney functions with the peaks in each of them at slightly different times, as set by individual organ clock. These occurrences at different times allow the body to manage and utilize its energy resources in such a way as to realize the maximum output and best benefits for the body. Hence, with these clocks functioning well, detoxification, excretion, immunity, brain and physical functions yield the best possible outcomes to each individual.

Once these rhythms are lost, biological function is compromised and we start having diseases like autoimmunity, diabetes, cancer and infections. This explains why exercise(vibrational energy) and fasting will lead to health benefits as they prime the body metabolism for optimal biological function, not too much and non-pulsatile stress hormone release and not too little; just enough as programmed into our biological clock.

The problem is that our main biological clock will fail to respond physiologically to environmental cues as we age, as chronic stress with its own vibrational energy overrides the natural, pacemaker release of the proteins for this clock. Sleep is known to reset the clock as excessive stress hormone release, from daily exertions, is balanced by melatonin, the calming, sleep hormone, released from the pineal gland and whose synthesis is brought about in response to darkness.

But, unfortunately, because of the very excessive stress(vibrational energy) that produces more stress hormone than can be balanced up by melatonin, sleep is prevented. The master clock function (internal pacemaker) is compromised and the coordinated waves of activities that are necessary for good health are put out of harmony. Things, some contradictory, will want to happen all at the same time. There is chaos. Diseases abound. The demand for energy resources will not be met by supply.

Stress management is the key to good physiological function and health. Diseases must be treated in time, toxins such as alcohol and cigarette must be limited or avoided and adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition must all be part of the good health plan.  

Dr. Oliver Verbe Birnso, M.D.