How to avoid jet lag

Jet lag (dysrhythmia) has by many been dismissed as merely an unpleasant side-effect of air travel, but new research suggests that the body clock is often not synchronized with an air traveller's new time zone causing common problems such as fatigue, poor concentration, trouble sleeping, irritability, minor depression, altered estimation of time and distance and digestive problems.  The research also showed that more serious problems like memory loss, shrinkage of parts of the brain, negative impact on blood pressure and was even implicated in the incidence of cancer.  Studies show that jet lag worsens with age, particularly after age 50.

The symptoms are at their worst in the first two days after crossing three or more time zones. The general rule is that, without any specialized treatment, adjustment time takes about a day for each time zone crossed. However, if left untreated, two or three weeks may be needed to completely realign all rhythms correctly.

For many travelers jet lag can certainly put a kink in a long awaited vacation.

So how can we combat jet lag?  There are certainly no lack of products on the market claiming to beat the jet lag blues.

According to Helen Murphy, Sr. Editor, Health & Wellness Advice at Consumer Review a good jet lag remedy should contain clinically proven ingredients such as GABA, DMAE, L-ornithine, L-theanine, Magnesium and more. A good formula, should provide a dual action ‘relax and refresh’ benefit: to de-stress and relax during the travel itself plus optimize balance and re-tune circadian rhythms upon arrival at your destination.

Ms. Murphy’s recommends three products, Research Verified Jet Lag Relief (#1 top pick, but often out of stock), NO-JET-LAG, (#2 pick, and sold on Amazon), and Jet Lag Rapid Reset (#3 pick).

There is another option on the market now, however, that seem quite popular - the pocket-size Litebook Edge.

A light therapy device.  Light therapy is a natural, non-pharmaceutical method to help the body adjust to a new time zone by emitting rays of bright light that mimics the sun. It can be effective enough to actually adjust the body's internal clock up to six times zones in one day. There may even be an added bonus of raising levels of alertness and enhance moods. ​

You can purchase the Litebook Edge on Amazon for $162.  Is it worth the steep price?  The New York Jets seem to think so!  They recently sent their players to London with the device to help combat jet lag before a big game. They beat the Miami Dolphins 27-14.

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