Jet lag is a physiological condition which happens when the body's circadian rhythms change, following rapid long-distance trans-meridian (east–west or west–east) travel.
Jet lag can last several days before the traveller is fully adjusted to the new time zone, which can eat into valuable holiday or work time during your travels.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary. Sleep disturbance, such as trouble falling asleep, early awakening, and trouble remaining asleep are common. Jet lag can affect your concentration and result in poorer performance on mental tasks. Increased fatigue, headaches, low mood and irritability are also symptoms, as are problems with digestion. This can include indigestion, a lack of appetite, less enjoyment of food, and changes in the frequency and consistency of your ‘number twos’. So, whether you experience some or all of these symptom, jet lag can leave you feeling pretty low.
What causes these symptoms?
It’s all to do with your circadian rhythm being out of sync with the day-night cycle of the destination, as well as internal desynchronisation. The body's natural pattern is upset. The rhythms that dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation, body temperature variations, and other functions no longer correspond to the environment, nor to each other in some cases.
This isn’t to mention the food and drink we often consume whilst travelling, that are far from our usual daily nutrition in portion size and type. Those sweet, salty and oily snacks that can seem so appealing when we’re on the go, add to travel dehydration. The same goes for increased alcohol consumption. Topping it all off is the exposure to airborne and surface bacteria and foreign viruses in the high-density travel environment.
Jet lag leaves us vulnerable to illness by weakening the immune system while our bodies are trying to adapt to the environmental changes at a new destination, or once home.
This is far from ideal when you want to hit the ground running on arrival at your destination. We don’t want things getting in the way of enjoying a well-deserved holiday or affecting performance on busy working trips.
Keep jet lag at bay
There are some key nutrients that you can include in your diet before, during and after your travels to help beat jet lag. Antioxidants and Omega 3&6 boost the immune system and help the body fight infection, toxins, and environmental effects of pollution. Fibre and beta glucans assist with balance of blood sugar, absorption of fats and digestive system health, reducing bloating and discomfort. Vitamin C protects against disease and maca root provides natural energy and stamina-boosting physical and mental function.
You can find every single one of these valuable nutrients in Elementary Vital – a gluten free, plant-based and great tasting powdered nutrient blend. Just two delicious teaspoons per daily serving can assist with travel health and jetlag recovery, so you can make the most of your trip from day one.
Good nutrition – it’s ELEMENTARY!