Latest news with #jetlag
New York Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
The Battle to Beat Jet Lag: Can an App Make a Difference?
Nothing undermines the joy of travel quite like a bad case of jet leg. That's why an entire industry has popped up to help deal with it, hawking solutions like light therapy glasses, targeted supplements, apps and coaching. But do any of them actually work? I put two popular methods to the test on a two-week journey to Asia in May. I flew from New York City, where I live, to Seoul and Taipei, Taiwan — both on the other side of the globe, a difference that is literally night and day — and then back home. The two apps to which I ceded control of my daily rhythms, Flykitt and Timeshifter, are personalized programs based on scientific approaches to jet lag. Both directed me when to sleep, get light exposure, drink caffeine and take supplements. But they took different approaches: Flykitt featured a heavy vitamin regimen, while Timeshifter focused on preparing for jet lag days before flying. The science of jet lag Both apps rely on circadian science, the study of the body's internal clocks. The central clock is in the brain and follows a roughly 24-hour cycle. Many mental, physical and behavioral changes in the body, such as hormone release, and sleeping and waking, are influenced by the circadian clock. Research shows that exposure to light plays a key role in synchronizing these rhythms to the outside world. Jet lag happens when the body clock falls out of sync with the local time, resulting in discomforts like poor digestion, foggier memory and focus, and interrupted sleep. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
TV star Catriona Rowntree shares her travels do's and don'ts
Catriona Rowntree has hosted Getaway for more than 30 years – so if anyone is authorised to talk on the topic of jet lag (and travel dos and don'ts), it's her. The beloved TV presenter of the much-loved Aussie travel show has been to almost every corner of the world, assuring that the Catriona you see on TV truly is travel-obsessed. 'Let me assure you that what you see on TV is authentic – I absolutely love travel just as much as I love to shop,' she laughed, during a candid interview with The 54-year-old, who has been gallivanting around Paris and will soon take on the sights of Tahiti for the show, revealed the three things everyone should do to help minimise jet lag. 'The moment you book a flight, grab your phone and put two things in, 'world clock' and adjust your body to the location of where you are going,' she advised in her role as Compare the Market's travel expert. She sometimes takes an over-the-counter sleeping tablet like Ashwagandha (from Nature's Way) and sleeps on the flight, depending on where she's going. She also avoids drinking alcohol on flights. 'The moment you land, walk it out, don't run, don't go to the gym, don't over-exert the body,' she said. 'You want to walk and get as much vitamin D as you can. Vitamin D is the key.' You'll rarely catch the seasoned presenter wearing dark-coloured clothes while exploring the streets – mainly during summer. 'Wear white and or cream so you have a natural reflection on the skin.' She also said it's important to stay awake until around 9pm and above all, 'do not have an afternoon nap'. To help prepare her body before any travel she stocks up on the vitamins at least two weeks before her trip. 'This is because you generally will catch the cold in the first week of your holiday when your defences drop,' she said. 'I've never had Covid. I'm as healthy as a clam and I travel more than anyone. So trust me on the vitamins.' When asked what her big travel no-no is, especially when gallivanting around Europe, she said to avoid 'clam suitcases'. In fact, she shared a clip about it on Instagram that went viral. She titled the reel 'dumb things I've done in Paris' showing her suitcase barely fitting in a lift and having to send it down on its own as she couldn't fit beside it. 'Learn from my mistakes,' she joked. She shared another snap of her 'clam suitcase' in the boot of a car, showcasing that in small spaces it was impossible to open. 'You just need one of those surfer suitcases that open from the top because those 'clam suitcases' do not work.' Meanwhile, she advised to take a small, everyday bag for when you're sightseeing during the day. 'You don't want something too big throughout the day when you're travelling, you just want something cross body that's easy.' She's collaborated with Blue Illusion, an Australian-owned, French-inspired brand, to design her own crossbody strap bag, aplty titled the 'Catriona Crossbody Bag'. 'I've never actually had a problem with pickpockets but I did design this bag so it has a magnetised fall-over top.' She said it's the perfect everyday travel bag that easily fits your phone and has enough pockets to securely store things like passports. The self-confessed overpacker said it's best to pack light, avoid expensive suitcases and if you can, stop off at a surf shop and try and get a suitcase that opens from the top. The avid traveller said the one thing she loves the most about her job is the 'constant learning'. 'I just adore meeting people, learning from them, and living every day as though it's my last,' she told 'Every day is hectic and tiring and I love it. We are so fortunate to have the good health to be able to travel. '[Just] go for it. Book a trip. Don't put things off because none of us know what each day will bring. That's certainly a lesson I've learned the hard way. 'My dad always said to my mum, 'when I retire, we'll do this'. And unfortunately, he passed away from cancer way too young. And so now I try to spoil my mum with those trips, but I really learned that lesson the hard way.' Catriona said her bucket list is fluid, ever-changing and always extensive but the three things high on her list are The Galapagos Island, Antarctica and swimming with the whale sharks in Ningaloo.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I tried the mysterious blue substance loved by RFK Jr to cure my jet lag... I was shocked by what happened to my body
There's no pill or instant fix for jet lag. But with more than 20 hours of flight time from New York to Australia on my horizon, I was eager to unearth any solution in a bid to make the most of my 10-day trip. Friends had suggested everything from the prescription anti-anxiety drug Xanax (alprazolam) to melatonin supplements to pack in some sleep. but then another recommendation from a travel pro piqued my interest: Methylene blue. Methylene blue, which is a cobalt blue-hued synthetic dye, has a long history of being used as treatment for ailments, including for malaria and a rare blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. But in recent years, an increasing number of people believe it may offer various other health benefits, particularly for cognitive function and potentially as an anti-aging agent. Research even suggests that it can kill cancer cells under specific conditions. And In February, footage emerged of Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, 71, on a plane using a pipette to add droplets of a blue liquid to his drink. It is unclear where and when the video was filmed and the footage doesn't show him consuming the concoction. But the clip spread widely on social media, leading to speculation about what it could be. Some medical experts said the blue liquid was likely methylene blue, although he has never commented on what it was. Mel Gibson and Joe Rogan are also among the fans of methylene blue. Brandon Dawson, co-founder and CEO of 10X Health, an individualized wellness company, told me he is also a big advocate of methylene blue to mitigate the tiring effects of long travel journeys. Dawson says he swears by the supplement and he never suffers from jet lag, despite hopping on multiple flights a week around the world. Following his revelation, I stocked up on 10X's methylene blue drops. A 30ml bottle costs $37, with this amount set to last a month if you take it on a daily basis. Dr Johnny Parvani - who runs 10X's IV arm of the business, offering patients infusions of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to boost their health - recommended that I start taking methylene blue one day before travel and then throughout the journey and during the trip. Explaining the benefits, he told me: 'This supplement can facilitate the role of oxygen in generating energy in high altitude environments such as with air travel. 'The supplement should help you remain more focused and energized and help you adjust to the new time zone quicker.' Currently methylene blue is not FDA-approved for jet lag, only for methemoglobinemia, and there have been no clinical trials or studies specifically evaluating the effectiveness of it for long-haul air travel. Research is limited, but a 1995 study found the substance can increase oxygen levels in the blood and improve the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. Some experts argue that, by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, methylene blue can improve the health of the mitochondria – the powerhouse of cells in the human body. In doing so, they argue, this can slow down aging or even prevent cancer – which occurs when cells malfunction and mutate. However, perhaps the most excitement is over the potential use of methylene blue for preventing dementia – the incurable degenerative brain disease that affects more than 7million Americans. The exact cause of dementia is unknown, but one theory is that it is triggered by malfunctioning mitochondria in the brain. In 2020, a Chinese paper published in the medical journal Translation Neurodegeneration suggested that methylene blue be considered as a possible preventative treatment for dementia. Another proposed use for the blue dye is treating the mental health disorders depression and bipolar. By improving the function of the mitochondria, supporters argue, this should also boost levels of serotonin, the 'happy hormone,' in the brain. In fact, studies do show that methylene blue can increase serotonin levels. Some research even suggests it can alleviate mental health issues. But back to me - I decided to trial the concoction for myself. In liquid form, you take methylene blue by using a dropper to add it to water. Dr Parvani advised me to drink it through a straw as the liquid can stain your teeth and he also warned me that it could turn my urine blue. Before my trip, I discovered that methylene blue is actually illegal if it is imported into Australia without a prescription as it is a classified as a Schedule 4 substance. After learning this, I hatched a plan to ditch it while changing planes in California and to pre-mix a drink for the 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney. Dr Parvani said I should still get the benefits of methylene blue despite not continuing to take it during my trip. The label on 10X's methylene blue drops instructs you to start with five drops diluted in water, with this increasing by five drops weekly until you reach a full pipette (20 drops). Following Dr Parvani's orders, I started by taking the supplement the morning before I traveled. When you first put it in water, the color is barely visible but as it dilutes, it gets increasingly blue. The mesmerizing color change filled me with vague concern as to what it could do to my internal organs. The 10X product says it has a 'pina colada' flavor but I didn't taste anything vaguely fruity while sipping it. To my relief, I also didn't experience any signs of blue pee. At the airport, I took another dose of methylene blue before the next flight on my journey. I'm not sure if it was a placebo effect or the methylene blue working its magic, but I did feel strangely energized and alert the day I traveled. I also went on to have some of the best sleep I had ever had on a plane despite being cooped up in economy. However, there were a couple of side effects I believe may have been from the substance. Firstly, I appeared to lose my sense of taste, and then as I was sleeping, I suffered from pins and needles in my legs and arms. A quick Google, showed that these can be side effects of methylene blue. Other common complaints include dizziness, a fast heartbeat, a headache, shivering and a sore throat. Luckily, I didn't experience any other discomfort while taking the supplement and when I landed in Australia, I found the benefits outweighed not being able to taste my plane pasta dinners and having a dead leg mid-flight. On landing into Sydney at around 7am after more than 24 hours of travel, I felt surprisingly perky. In fact, I managed to stay awake the whole day before rolling into bed at 10pm. The next day, I ran three miles in the morning and embarked on a 12-mile hike in the afternoon. Maybe RFK Jr is on to something. Next time I travel, methylene blue is something I would consider using but if losing my taste is a consequence, it's not something I'd take on a daily basis. Experts say some people are more sensitive to the substance than others, and my friend who took a dose from my bottle returned from the bathroom an hour later exclaiming 'my pee is blue!'
Wall Street Journal
23-07-2025
- Wall Street Journal
Can Apps and Hacks Really Prevent Jet Lag?
This wasn't the birthday greeting I had in mind: a 6 a.m. alarm blaring in my ear. I had taken the day off for a milestone birthday (let's not put a number on it) but here I was, bleary-eyed and grumpy, thanks to a jet-lag app I was testing for a family trip to Greece the following day.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What I'm packing for summer travel to beat jet lag, fix tummy problems and stay healthy
Got the travel bug this summer? Just make sure you don't pick up any other bugs when you hit the road. No matter where I go on vacation, I've always taken a fully-stocked mini medicine bag with the obvious essentials: painkillers, antacids, Band-aids, Lactaid and a little something for nausea. But that medicine bag has grown a bit in recent years — especially since I've become The Post's wellness editor. Now it includes a bunch of other things you might not think to pack, and they've made a massive difference in how I feel and function when I'm away from home. To fall asleep and beat jet lag I just got back from Hawaii, and between the 10.5-hour flight from New York and the 6-hour time difference, I knew the jet lag would be a beach — if you know what I mean. A big reason we sleep so poorly while traveling is that our circadian rhythms get messed up from time differences. Melatonin can help fix this. That's because your body naturally produces melatonin in response to darkness at night, getting you ready for sleep. It usually happens on a pretty regular schedule, so when it gets out of whack when you take red-eyes or switch time zones, you can nudge it in the right direction with a supplement. One of my favorites right now is Kourtney Kardashian's Lemme Sleep, a gummy with a yummy berry flavor that blends melatonin with L-theanine and magnesium — a key ingredient in the viral 'sleepy girl mocktail.' I also love the Make Time for Beauty Sleep gummy, which has that special trio of melatonin, magnesium, and L-theanine too — plus biotin for skin, hair and nail health. To stay hydrated I used to get super sick from heat exhaustion and dehydration, so years ago when I went to Cambodia, I knew I needed to figure out a way to not die in the 100-degree heat. At the time, Pedialyte was one of the only brands making travel-size electrolytes. Now there are a ton of great brands to choose from. I'm currently loving Thorne (I'm partial to the mango limeade in the variety pack), FlavCity (pineapple coconut is my fave) and Groove (strawberry kiwi for the win). I keep one in my purse so I can pour it into a water bottle if it's hot out, but they're also great for chugging after a night of cocktails so you wake up without a hangover. They key is to get those electrolytes in before you start feeling sick. To get my tummy straight Never had tummy problems while traveling? I don't believe you. Even if you're really good about not overeating — and knowing which countries where you can't drink the water — sometimes, things get stuck. Or let loose. Or whatever other euphemism you prefer. So here's a tip if you're constipated: Pack a fiber supplement. I've been using BelliWelli because they come in handy little travel-size packets in tasty flavors like watermelon and strawberry lemonade (and the branding's super cute). Don't go crazy, though — that new 'fibermaxxing' trend has some downsides, as we recently reported. To fight infections and stay healthy overall Travel really presents the perfect recipe for illness — you're probably not sleeping enough, you're eating new things, and you're exposed to lots of people carrying who knows what germs. Upping your vitamin intake before, during and after could help boost your immunity. Barrière makes these adorable vitamin patches, from vitamin D3 stickers that look like suns to vitamin B12 ones that look like rainbows, hearts and palm trees. I'm especially obsessed with the Travel Well patches, which have zinc and vitamin D3 — both essential for immune function — and elderberry, which may also support immune health. I also like MegaFood's burpless omega-3 pills, since fish oil is kind of a magic ingredient for everything from immunity to heart health to brain function. And this one's got none of those gross fishy burps. Finally, my least sexy recommendation — but something I absolutely can't live without: NeilMed's sinus rinse kit. If you've never done nasal irrigation before (like a NetiPot), it may take some getting used to. But when I'm using this nightly, I don't get colds. They just flush everything out. It's also good for allergies and flu and COVID symptom relief — just make sure you're following the directions so you don't get a brain-eating amoeba.
