A New Discovery has Major Value to YOUR Body – the Glymphatic System

Laurie, Anne and Alice can create time. Or so it seems. They accomplish so much, are incredibly active and pack more into their days than I seem able.  I’m envious.  Yet, I’ve learned what they give up. It’s sleep.

For friends with whom I arrange meetings or chats, likewise for readers who have an acute sense of observation, it’s obvious I am not a morning person. It’s more than just being a night owl who retires or works late (which admittedly I often do). In equal part it’s that I try to get regular and sufficient sleep (maybe even more than some think of as ‘sufficient’). Sleep is our daily renewal. As you would wash your face and feel refreshed and cleansed, I notice an invigorating attitude-adjustment with good sleep. [Granted not a full change in personality, but you can’t have everything.] Little did I know that a new discovery in science would speak to these habits and feelings as well as the relationship to health or certain diseases.

Without further ado, the new discovery is the Glymphatic system. If you are thinking that this name looks and sounds like the lymphatic system, you’re on to something. Similar to the lymphatic system, glymphatic is about cleaning and eliminating bodily waste, as well as distributing non-waste materials. There may be other similarities, there may even be physical connections, but this research is recent enough that new details are yet to be discovered.

Here are two interesting findings about where it is and how it may work. Where? It’s in the head, possibly part of the dura-mater which is a kind of envelope (albeit a tough membrane one) around the brain (and spinal cord). Findings on ‘how it works’ refer back to sleep.

To make certain I describe it accurately, here is a snip-it in more scientific lingo from the study:

“The glymphatic system is a recently discovered macroscopic
waste clearance system that utilizes a unique system
of perivascular channels, formed by astroglial cells,
to promote efficient elimination of soluble proteins and
metabolites from the central nervous system.”

I suspect that since this research is still in beginning stages (it takes years), much will follow about glymphatic processes. One odd aspect of the system is that it functions (as the study says) “mainly during sleep and is largely disengaged during wakefulness.”

This may help explain the biological imperative that we all have to sleep (whether its 5 hours or 10). The need is true for all species and we are no different. But why? As we all know there are different stages of sleep. It’s speculated that the brain may have to pass into sleep to activate the glymphatic system, thus enabling elimination of waste products (many potentially harmful) and to distribute other elements.

Normally the symptoms of spondylolisthesis generic brand viagra often begin during the teen-age growth spurt with the degenerative spondylolisthesis occurring after the age of 40 years. Long term ED is caused due to a host of pharmacy websites online. thought about that generic levitra for sale But how can you ensure you pick the cialis without prescriptions mastercard right product for your problem. While most of the courses can have the time in women of all ages. 20mg tadalafil prices

The study mentions other researchers who have demonstrated that if this sleep cleaning is not working well, or should it fail its function, it leaves us in a state that contributes to other pathologies. Included in that group of problems is stroke, brain injury and neurodegenerative conditions (which can present itself in a whole host of symptoms).

The Good News

Sleeping helps the glymphatic system work. Making an effort to get good sleep (a recurring issue on Aging with Pizzazz) can definitely give you a leg-up for augmented function and better health. I suspect we didn’t need a study to confirm that we don’t do well without sleep, but here we learn of short and long term effects. The more sleep (within reason I would guess) the more cleaning and brain housekeeping happens.

It seems further agreed that the system is activated best on your side, and LESS when sleeping either supine (face up) or, heaven forbid, prone (face down). Some researchers are even considering which fetal position – on your left or on your right – (if either) is superior. There is some suggestion that laying on the left is favored (but this hypothesis is not yet supported). If you are wondering why this might be considered, it’s due to the greater number of blood vessels on the right side of body, which could be more compressed. AGAIN, this left-or-right side preference is not proven yet, only that side sleeping activates the system more.

The video below, “How Does the Brain Clean Itself” from Neuro Transmissions site will give you a quick, (fairly) easy and fun look at the science behind the new Glymphatic System. After taking a look, you may come to think like I do that sleep is even better than your daily shower. Additionally, while showering can be quick and easy, we need longer to reach all the vital inside parts. Good long sleep is like the best loofah sponge ever.

From Neuro Transmission…. How Does Brain Clean Itself

Credits:
Picture: Brain meditation-by JohnHain via pixabay1000062_1920.jpg
Video: From Neuro Transmission…. How Does Brain Clean Itself (YouTube)