Month: August 2025

Why Can’t Teens Get Jobs?

Daily News from Edmund Burke Foundation(NL)’s “NationalConservatism.org” The National Conservatism Conferences and study group represents a rich source of intellectual capacity for advancing good in the earth. Numerous conferences, essays and reports are uploaded regularly to the site. Come back to https://Watchman.News for news updates every hour. Find news from many other outlets that work […]

The Most Insidious Trick of AI Language Models

Daily News from Edmund Burke Foundation(NL)’s “NationalConservatism.org” The National Conservatism Conferences and study group represents a rich source of intellectual capacity for advancing good in the earth. Numerous conferences, essays and reports are uploaded regularly to the site. Come back to https://Watchman.News for news updates every hour. Find news from many other outlets that work […]

The Wheels, the Four Living Creatures, and the Throne of God — A Revelation Brought to Life

The Wheels, the Four Living Creatures, and the Throne of God — A Revelation Brought to Life For centuries, believers have marveled at the mysterious visions recorded in Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4—visions of fiery beings, wheels within wheels, and the throne of Almighty God. Many have read these passages with curiosity, yet few have […]

Why “Being Separate” is One of the Bible’s Most Repeated Commands

Most people today think “separation” is negative — a sign of judgment, division, or pride. But the Bible paints a completely different picture. From Genesis to Revelation, God calls His people to be separate from sin, false worship, and the works of darkness. In this video, we uncover how over 50 passages command believers to […]

Daily Activity Timing Helps Improve Fitness and Support Healthy Aging

If you’re trying to stay fit as you age, the clock on your wall is just as important as the steps on your pedometer. When you move, not just how much, shapes everything from your energy output to how efficiently your body performs basic tasks like walking or climbing stairs.

Most people think of exercise as a numbers game: time, reps, steps, calories. But your body runs on its own timing system, and syncing your activity to that rhythm is often the missing key to better health. This internal clock, known as your circadian rhythm, affects not just sleep but also hormone cycles, metabolism, and physical endurance.

If your movement is out of sync — say, you’re active at night but dragging all morning — your body notices. Misaligned activity patterns lead to inefficient energy use, sluggish recovery, and even increased strain on your cardiovascular system.

On the other hand, consistently timed activity sends clear signals to your biological systems, helping them perform at their peak. That shift in focus, from doing more to timing it better, is where the real opportunity lies. Let’s explore the science behind how daily rhythms and physical activity shape your long-term fitness and overall resilience.

Strong Daily Rhythms Predict Better Fitness in Older Adults

A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise explored whether the timing and regularity of daily movement influence physical fitness in older adults.1 Led by researchers at the University of Florida and funded by the National Institute on Aging, the study used data from 799 independent individuals with an average age of 76.

Participants wore wrist accelerometers for seven consecutive days to capture their rest-activity cycles. The goal was to see how those rhythms — like what time you peak in activity and how consistent your movement is day to day — relate to cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency.

• Participants with earlier, more rhythmic patterns showed better fitness — Older adults who had a more predictable and earlier daily activity pattern had significantly better heart and lung capacity, measured by VO2 peak. VO2 peak, also known as VO2 max, is a measure of how much oxygen your body uses during intense exercise, a key indicator of cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness.

These individuals also walked more efficiently, meaning they used less energy to move at both normal and slower speeds. This was true even after adjusting for factors like age, sex, health conditions, and height.

• The biggest gains were linked to early peak activity and daily consistency — Those whose most active time of day occurred earlier, called an “earlier acrophase,” had higher VO2 peak values — on average 20.9 mL/kg/min — compared to 19.2 for those with later peak activity.

That’s a noticeable difference in endurance, especially in aging populations. Likewise, those with higher amplitude, meaning stronger differences between active and rest times, scored better on both walking and oxygen efficiency tests.

• Having a steady rhythm gave a clear advantage in physical function — A higher “pseudo F-statistic,” which is a way scientists measure how steady and strong your daily activity pattern is, was linked to better heart health and more efficient walking. This finding suggests that not just when you move, but whether you move on a reliable schedule, has a direct effect on how well your body functions.

• Everyday movement, not just workouts, counts toward your rhythm — This study didn’t just measure exercise. It tracked total activity, everything from walking and housework to shopping and gardening.2 The takeaway is that consistent, active living throughout the day, rather than long stretches of sitting followed by bursts of exercise, contributes meaningfully to better physical health. This gives you more flexibility, and power, in how you design your daily routine.

• Time of peak activity had a bigger impact than total movement — Surprisingly, the time of day when participants were most active had a stronger correlation with VO2 peak and walking efficiency than total amount of movement. This means that even if two people are equally active, the one who moves earlier in the day or keeps a regular rhythm is likely to have better cardiovascular health outcomes.

Researchers believe that these patterns mirror the strength of a person’s circadian system, the internal biological clock that governs your body’s daily cycles. A stronger rhythm suggests better hormonal balance, temperature regulation and blood pressure control, all of which affect physical performance and resilience.

Exercise Isn’t Just Movement, It’s a Biological Clock Setter

A related study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that exercise plays a central role in regulating your body’s internal timing system.3 Researchers investigated how physical activity affects circadian rhythms, which run on a roughly 24-hour cycle and control everything from sleep and temperature to hormone release. The review analyzed how exercise interacts with your body’s core clock system from behavioral, physiological, and molecular perspectives.

• Moderate and high-intensity workouts affected key markers of circadian timing — The review showed that aerobic and resistance exercise increases the expression of important genes like BMAL1 and PER2. These genes are like timing switches that help your cells know when to turn on and off specific functions.

When they’re working well, you experience stable sleep cycles, efficient energy use, and balanced hormone production. Exercise helped strengthen these rhythms, making the body more synchronized and less vulnerable to environmental disruptions like jet lag, screen exposure or irregular schedules.

• The time of day you exercise changes the way your body responds — Timing matters. Morning workouts tend to move your internal clock earlier, which is great if you struggle to wake up or want to reset after travel. In contrast, exercising late in the day tends to shift your biological rhythms later, which suits night owls but could delay melatonin release and sleep onset.

One study in the review found that later exercise increased the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone and improved mitochondrial health, showing how even timing affects different systems differently.

• Exercise timing impacted disease risk — Regular exercise was shown to improve blood sugar regulation, reduce cardiovascular strain, and support immune balance, all through its influence on circadian pathways. For example, exercising in the morning helped improve fat metabolism and reduce insulin resistance.

Researchers noted that regular exercise could even help prevent diseases that are made worse by circadian disruption, such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers.

• Mechanisms include direct effects on cellular clock genes — On a cellular level, exercise activates a network of genes that operate in feedback loops to keep your body’s rhythms intact. BMAL1 and clock genes promote activity during the day, while others help shut things down at night.

These genes are highly sensitive to external cues, especially exercise. When you work out, you send a strong signal that helps reset and align these internal timers, improving how your cells respond to time-based demands like nutrient absorption and recovery.

• Physical movement helps override environmental disruptions — Even in chaotic light-dark cycles or jet lag conditions, exercise helped people adjust more quickly. Studies showed that a few days of timed physical activity was enough to advance or delay melatonin release, depending on when it was performed. This makes exercise a nondrug tool that helps realign circadian rhythms naturally, without side effects or artificial stimulation.

What’s more, your muscles, liver, and other tissues all have their own mini clocks. These peripheral clocks communicate with your central clock through hormones and nerve signals. Exercise acts as a unifying force that brings all of these separate rhythms back into sync, improving overall resilience and performance.

How to Strengthen Your Internal Clock and Improve Fitness at the Same Time

If your energy feels inconsistent or your workouts don’t seem to be paying off, it’s not only about effort — it’s about timing. Your body isn’t just tracking how much you move, it’s also responding to when you move. The solution is to sync your movement with your biological rhythm.

That’s how you reduce the strain on your system, boost physical performance, and train your body to work smarter. Here’s how to take control of your daily rhythms and upgrade your fitness without overhauling your entire life:

1. Start your movement earlier in the day — If you naturally rise early, lean into that by planning your most active part of the day within a few hours of waking. Research shows that earlier peak activity is linked with better heart and lung function. Even if you aren’t doing a structured workout, getting your most physical tasks — like walking, housework, or errands — done before lunch reinforces a stronger daily rhythm and improves your energy output.

2. Create a consistent activity pattern — Your body responds best to predictable patterns. Aim to be active around the same times each day. This doesn’t have to mean doing the same workout — just try to keep your movement window steady. Whether it’s gardening at 8 a.m. or walking the dog at 4 p.m., your internal systems, like blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and hormone cycles, benefit from the routine.

3. Avoid intense workouts too late in the evening — Although there are exceptions, late-night exercise typically shifts your internal clock in the wrong direction, especially if you’re already struggling with sleep or fatigue.

High-intensity workouts after dark tend to delay melatonin release and disrupt your rhythm. If you need to train late, keep it light — think stretching, gentle yoga, or a slow walk. Save the demanding sessions for earlier in the day when your body’s stress hormones are already elevated and ready for action.

4. Use everyday movement as part of your rhythm therapy — You don’t need fancy gym sessions to see results. Your body registers all forms of movement, including cleaning, gardening, and walking the stairs, as meaningful input. The key is rhythm. Try breaking up sedentary time with short movement bursts every couple of hours. This trains your system to expect activity, reinforcing your body’s clock and improving energy efficiency.

5. Match your movement to your natural chronotype — If you’re more alert in the evening, adjust your schedule gradually. Start your activity 30 to 60 minutes earlier each day until your body adapts to an earlier peak. This retrains your internal clock without shocking your system. Morning types should protect that early energy by keeping mornings free of distractions and prioritizing movement before noon. Either way, your internal rhythm becomes stronger the more consistently you honor it.

FAQs About Daily Activity Timing

Q: Why does the timing of my daily activity matter for my health?
A: Because your body runs on a 24-hour rhythm called the circadian clock, and when you move during the day sends signals that help regulate sleep, metabolism, hormone levels, and physical performance. Earlier and more consistent activity supports better fitness and energy efficiency.

Q: What kinds of activities count toward strengthening my daily rhythm?
A: Any movement counts, not just formal workouts. Walking, gardening, housework, and errands all help reinforce a healthy rhythm, especially when done consistently at the same time each day.

Q: When is the best time of day to exercise for optimal health benefits?
A: Morning or early-day movement tends to support a healthier circadian rhythm and is linked with improved heart and lung fitness. Evening workouts, especially intense ones, are more likely to delay your internal clock and disrupt sleep.

Q: Do I have to be a morning person to benefit from this approach?
A: Not at all. If you’re naturally more alert later in the day, improve your rhythm by gradually shifting your activity earlier over time and keeping your schedule consistent day to day.

Q: Does this strategy help with issues beyond fitness, like sleep or metabolism?
A: Yes. Regular, well-timed activity has been shown to support better blood sugar control, sleep quality, hormone balance, and even reduce your risk of chronic diseases tied to circadian disruption like heart disease and diabetes.

Aspartame Alters Gut Bacteria and Triggers Cancer Genes in Glioblastoma

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in everything from diet soda to chewable vitamins, doesn’t just sweeten your food — it alters your genetic landscape and heightens your risk of glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, according to a new study.

What’s even more concerning is that these genetic shifts were traced back to disruptions in gut bacteria. If you still believe the claims that aspartame is “harmless,” these new findings will open your eyes to just how dangerous this widely used additive is.

Aspartame Activates Brain Cancer Genes, Study Finds

A recent animal study published in Scientific Reports investigated the effects of aspartame on gene expression and gut bacteria in mice with glioblastoma. Researchers assessed whether aspartame could influence tumor progression on a molecular level, even in the absence of visible tumor growth.1

• The mice used in the study had gliomas induced by transplanting cancerous cells — These test subjects were then split into two groups. One received aspartame in their drinking water, while the control group was given plain water.

• One of the most striking findings was the activation of cancer-linked genes — The researchers discovered dramatic internal changes — particularly at the genetic and microbial level — in the aspartame-exposed group. Specifically, they observed a significant upregulation of three key genes — myelocytomatosis (MYC), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), and transforming growth factor-β (TGFB1).

• These three genes are well-established contributors to cancer progression — MYC is an oncogene, meaning it plays a direct role in driving uncontrolled cell growth, while TGFB1 is often associated with a poor prognosis in glioblastoma due to its ability to suppress immune function and promote tumor cell survival. CDKN1A is typically involved in controlling the cell cycle, but when dysregulated, it contributes to tumor aggressiveness.

• The most unsettling part? These changes happened without any measurable increase in tumor size. That means even if your tumor isn’t growing, it could still be genetically evolving into something far more dangerous.

Aspartame Alters Your Gut Microbiota by Affecting the Gut-Brain Axis

Aspartame was accidentally discovered in 1965 and had been used in consumer products since the 1980s. Being a low-calorie sweetener that’s 200 times sweeter than regular sugar, it became widely popular among people who want to cut back on their calorie consumption. It’s now used in over 6,000 different products worldwide, including diet soda, sugar-free gum and candy, and even condiments like ketchup and salad dressings.2

However, aspartame is not as safe as it seems — in fact, it has been associated with a long list of health problems, such as obesity, headaches, and depression.3 In 2023, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans4 — and now, this animal study provides stronger evidence backing up this classification.

• The changes in gene activity were traced to a powerful biological process called RNA methylation — These changes occurred specifically along the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) pathway. RNA methylation is a chemical modification of messenger RNA (mRNA), the molecule your body uses to translate DNA into proteins.
This modification acts like a dimmer switch — it fine-tunes how active a gene becomes. When aspartame exposure elevated this process, the dimmer switch turned all the way up on cancer-promoting genes.

• Aspartame increases glioblastoma risk by affecting the gut-brain axis — This is the bidirectional pathway by which your gut and brain communicate with each other. Your gut bacteria synthesize short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate and metabolize dietary components like tryptophan into molecules that regulate the tumor microenvironment.
When these metabolites reach tumor sites, they improve immune surveillance mechanisms and alter cellular metabolic processes to inhibit tumor growth.

• Conversely, tumors also influence gut microbial composition — Certain gut bacteria that colonize tumor tissues contribute to carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms — they induce DNA damage, suppress the immune system’s ability to recognize tumor antigens, and disrupt vital metabolic pathways. These create conditions conducive to tumor survival and proliferation.

To put it simply, some gut bacteria produce substances that help fight cancer, while others actually help tumors grow and spread; Aspartame alters your gut to increase the growth of tumor-spreading bacteria.

• Mice fed aspartame had a significant drop in bacteria from the Rikenellaceae family — Rikenellaceae are part of a group of microbes involved in producing SCFAs, which, as mentioned above, help inhibit cancer formation. According to the study authors:

“The composition and abundance of gut microbiota, particularly the Rikenellaceae family, are closely associated with the levels of volatile fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid.
Numerous findings have provided compelling evidence of a robust connection between the abundance of the Rikenellaceae family in the gut and a diverse array of metabolic health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Our study concluded that although the aspartame diet did not significantly affect tumor growth, it did induce changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, particularly a decrease in the relative abundance of the Rikenellaceae family. We speculated that gut microbiota could influence the progression of glioblastoma multiforme by gut-brain axis.”5

Previous Studies Have Associated Artificial Sweeteners with a High Risk of Cancer

There’s no doubt in my mind that artificial sweeteners like aspartame are among the most pernicious ingredients to ever make into our food supply. On the outside, swapping sugar for aspartame seems beneficial for your health, but on the contrary, this is one of the worst decisions you can make, with damaging, life-long implications.

This featured study now adds to the growing list of research linking artificial sweeteners to cancer and tumor growth. Among the most notable ones are:

• A 2006 lifespan rat study published in Environmental Health Perspectives — The researchers note that aspartame “is a multipotential carcinogenic agent, even at a daily dose of … much less than the current acceptable daily intake.”6

• A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine — The research confirms that this artificial sweetener is “a carcinogenic agent in multiple sites in rodents, and that this effect is induced in two species, rats (males and females) and mice (males).”7

• A 2012 paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — Conducted by researchers from Harvard University, the study found a positive link between aspartame intake and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma (among males), and leukemia (in both males and females).8

• A 2022 study published in PLOS Medicine — The study found a link between aspartame and acesulfame-K, another artificial sweetener, and a higher risk of breast and obesity-related cancers.9

In 2024, the nonprofit organization U.S. Right to Know released a review highlighting multiple independent studies that linked aspartame not just to an increased risk of cancer, but to multiple health problems as well. The review notes:10

“Dozens of studies have linked the popular artificial sweetener aspartame to serious health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, stroke and dementia, as well as negative effects such as intestinal dysbiosis, mood disorders, headaches and migraines.

Evidence also links aspartame to weight gain, increased appetite and obesity-related diseases … This evidence raises questions about the legality of marketing aspartame-containing products as ‘diet’ drinks or weight-loss products.”

Artificial Sweeteners Disrupt Your Gut Health in Many Ways

Your gut microbiome is composed of trillions of good and bad bacteria that influence various factors, such as regulating digestion, metabolism, and immune function. However, when you consume artificial sweeteners, especially on a day-to-day basis, your gut microbiome changes. Studies have found that consuming artificial sweeteners disrupts your gut’s delicate balance, which leads to a cascade of health issues.

• Aspartame blocks a gut enzyme associated with weight management — An aspartame breakdown product called phenylalanine was found to inhibit the activity of a gut enzyme called alkaline phosphatase (IAP). Previous animal studies have associated IAP with the prevention of metabolic syndrome development, as well as reducing its symptoms in those with the condition.11

• Neotame causes serious damage to the intestines and overall gut health — A relatively new artificial sweetener that’s chemically similar to aspartame, neotame not only damaged bacteria commonly found in the gut, but also led to intestinal cell death, one study reported. This sweetener also disrupted the intestinal barrier, leading to increased leakage and decreased presence of claudin-3, a protein important for cell binding. According to the study authors:12

“The study is the first to show that neotame can cause previously healthy gut bacteria to become diseased and invade the gut wall — potentially leading to health issues including irritable bowel syndrome and sepsis — and also cause a breakdown of the epithelial barrier, which forms part of the gut wall.”13

• Consuming sucralose induces gut dysbiosis and alters glucose and insulin levels — A study published in Microorganisms found that ingesting this sweetener in amounts “far lower than the suggested ADI [acceptable daily intake]”14 — for just 10 weeks was enough to induce gut dysbiosis and alter glucose and insulin levels in healthy, young adults. The sweetener affects bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, which are involved in glucose and insulin metabolism.

If you truly value your overall health, tending to your gut health is key — and one of the most significant changes you can make is to avoid artificial sweeteners.

Eliminate Aspartame (and Other Artificial Sweeteners) from Your Life

The research is clear — Aspartame isn’t harmless. It disrupts your gut microbiome, activates genes tied to tumor aggressiveness, and hijacks your cellular energy machinery. If you want to protect your body from chronic diseases and avoid a glioblastoma diagnosis, I recommend following these strategies:

1. Cut aspartame and all artificial sweeteners from your daily intake — If you’re still drinking diet sodas or using sugar-free products like flavored waters, gum, or chewable vitamins, it’s time to stop. These are common sources of aspartame. Ideally, remove all ultraprocessed foods from your diet, as many are hidden sources of artificial sweeteners.

I also advise reading labels carefully. Aspartame and other sweeteners often hide behind other names, so make sure to closely check the label of the products you buy.

2. Switch to natural sweeteners — Raw Manuka honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, all consumed in moderation, are some of the best choices. If you’re trying to transition off sweeteners entirely, fresh fruit is an excellent way to satisfy your cravings while keeping your blood sugar balanced.

3. Restore your gut microbiome immediately — Focus on foods that help your body rebuild a healthy microbial balance. Start with whole fruits, well-cooked vegetables, and well-tolerated, cooked starches.

Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi provide natural probiotics that help rebalance your microbiome. Collagen-rich bone broth supports the gut lining, and dietary fiber from well-tolerated fruits helps feed beneficial bacteria (but make sure your gut is in optimal condition, so the fiber will feed your good bacteria instead of the bad bacteria).

4. Don’t skimp on targeted carbohydrates — Most adults need around 200 to 250 grams of carbs per day for proper mitochondrial function. That includes the brain. Restricting carbs starves your body of energy and leads to reductive stress, which only worsens the cellular chaos tied to glioblastoma. I recommend slowly reintroducing safe carbs based on your gut’s tolerance.

5. Remove other common triggers of cellular damage — If you’re serious about disrupting the root cause of glioblastoma progression, eliminate the other big offenders that compromise mitochondrial and microbiome health. That includes seed oils, electromagnetic (EMF) exposure, xenoestrogens from plastics, and processed foods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Aspartame and Glioblastoma

Q: How does aspartame increase the risk of glioblastoma?
A: Aspartame alters gene activity tied to cancer progression by activating RNA methylation pathways, especially the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) pathway. This boosts the expression of genes like MYC, TGFB1, and CDKN1A, which are known to drive tumor growth and make glioblastoma more aggressive — even if the tumor itself doesn’t visibly enlarge.

Q: What role does the gut microbiome play in brain cancer development?
A: Your gut bacteria influence your brain through the gut-brain axis. Aspartame disrupts this by reducing bacteria like Rikenellaceae that help produce anticancer compounds. These microbial imbalances weaken immune surveillance and encourage tumor-supporting conditions in the brain.

Q: Are artificial sweeteners really worse than sugar?
A: Yes. While marketed as safer low-calorie options, artificial sweeteners like aspartame have been linked to cancer, metabolic dysfunction, gut damage, and disrupted gene regulation. The evidence shows these additives are not harmless alternatives and could cause long-term harm to your health.

Q: What should I do if I’ve been consuming aspartame regularly?
A: Start by eliminating all artificial sweeteners from your diet — this includes checking labels on diet sodas, flavored waters, gum, vitamins, and condiments. Then, support your gut with natural carbs, fermented foods, dextrose water, and collagen-rich broths to help rebalance your microbiome and restore gene regulation pathways.

Q: Is there a safer way to satisfy my sweet cravings?
A: Yes. Transition to moderate use of natural sweeteners like raw honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Better yet, rely on whole fruits with fiber, which offer natural sweetness while supporting gut and brain health. Always prioritize food sources that feed your beneficial bacteria, not fuel disease.