by Barbara Andrews

In today’s hustle-bustle world, we work from sunup to sundown, much like farmers. Unlike farmers however, most of us work inside, under artificial lighting. Our house dogs are inside, also suffering from light deprivation. Suppressed knowledge can be uncovered. That’s what I do because it so often applies to dogs. As you read, think about all the children on behavior modification and school violence at an all-time high.

A twenty year study led by neuroscientist George Brainard at the Farber Institute was based on understanding how the brain interprets, reacts to and uses light independently of the visual system, i.e. how the human eye uses light to regulate melatonin production, and in turn, the body's biological clock. The study revealed what appears to be a novel "photoreceptor system" in the human eye which reacts to specific wavelengths of light. Light in the blue region of the visible spectrum are the most potent in controlling melatonin production and body's circadian rhythms. "This discovery will have an immediate impact on the therapeutic use of light for treating winter depression and circadian disorders", said Dr. Brainard, professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. "In the long range, we think this will shape all artificial lighting, whether it's used for therapeutic purposes, or for normal illumination of workplaces, hospitals or homes.” Dr. Brainard (and others) are studying an even newer hypothesis: Over-exposure to light at night can disrupt the production of melatonin and disturb circadian rhythms in a way that raises the risk of breast cancer in women. Epidemiological studies have found an increased breast cancer incidence in women who work night shifts, while researchers have shown a lower risk of breast cancer in blind women.

Then relate this to your dogs. Your dream of a special litter from your sheltered bitch can turn into a nightmare of confusing heat cycles. Consider this – one of the main consequences of light deprivation is cessation of normal reproduction! Interested? I thought so. Allow me to share a few excerpts from previous columns.

Since 1992 I’ve written about the adverse effect on melatonin production caused by behavior such as leaving the light on in a sleeping child’s room and the same applies to the kennel. Turn off the lights! Don’t leave the light on for a new mom. Trust me, she can “see” every puppy.…..

SHEDDING SOME LIGHT “If you have a kennel building, install large south windows, or skylights, Ott-lights or a similar FULL SPECTRUM lighting system. (Note: such lighting is now easily obtainable and reasonably priced)

     “Dogs suffer from SAD too! It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder because depression occurs more during the winter months, when the sun's rays are weakest and we're inside out of the cold! …. SAD mechanics are simple. Light must enter the eyes in order to stimulate the hypothalamus, pineal gland, and the pituitary gland, the body's master hormone-secreting factory.
 

     “… Put a cat in full spectrum lighting and she'll begin calling in the dead of winter, something felines never do! Conversely, put her in a darkened basement during spring and early summer, and she'll stop cycling. Cats are used as an example because they "call" constantly during the mating “season.”
 

     “… Summer … dogs will spend a lot of time inside (in air conditioning), exposed to florescent lighting. Documented studies reveal the hazards of tinted glass, heavy drapes, Venetian blinds, etc. and fluorescent tubes that emit electromagnetic energy and unnatural light rays. People are being damaged in ways that may one day be compared to the revelations re "asbestos" and “miner’s lung.” Our children are now protected from lead but hey, now they're "cool", growing up in sunglasses which assure that the pineal gland receives inadequate amounts of light. Delinquency and juvenile violence rates are soaring...... A connection? Read on.
 

     “Light is necessary for the production of serotonin - the "feel good" substance contained in chocolate and some anti-depressant medications... The daily migration to the city decrees a long pre-dawn trip to the city with an after-dark return, further depriving a large percentage of the population of those precious hours of sunlight… Violent crime is escalating and more people are on anti-depressants than ever.
 

     “… artificial light interferes with the production of melatonin. Many scientists believe circadian rhythm is linked to your biological aging clock. Interruption of the natural light and dark cycles causes stress; continued disruption causes disease. As we turn on the lights earlier and earlier during winter's advance, we're also interfering with our pet's production of melatonin!
     “There's an inseparable relationship between the neuro-endocrine and immune systems, especially between the pituitary and the thymus glands which actually regulate the immune system. Melatonin works in the hypothalamus region of the brain, DURING DARKNESS. It stimulates tissue regeneration and along with serotonin, influences neurotransmitters, helps to stabilize homeostasis, and maintain those all important connective tissues, muscles, and bones! Pretty important wouldn't you say?
 

     “Through the production of melatonin, the pineal gland plays a master role in the immune system's ability to respond to virological or environmental challenge. There is also mounting evidence that melatonin suppresses the development of tumors and may actually reconstitute bone marrow integrity. It has also dramatically increased the life span and the reproductive ability of mice. By the way ladies, melatonin may aid in the prevention of breast cancer. Breast cancer rates are soaring. I'm not saying there's a connection between that and our insistence on turning night into day (and vice versa for night workers) but I wonder if anyone has done a study on the incidence of cancer in say, Las Vegas showgirls????

     “Without getting into the ozone, UV, “bad sun” debate, I’ll just tell you that natural sunlight is vital to your emotional well being – and that of your dog! …. Light must enter the eyes in order to stimulate the hypothalamus, pineal gland, and the pituitary gland, the body's master hormone factory. Example: Deprive laying hens of proper lighting and egg production ceases. … Low levels of sunlight and increased exposure to artificial light during naturally “dark” hours interferes with the production of melatonin …. and interrupts circadian rhythm, which is directly linked to our biological aging clock.
 

     “… Make sure you get adequate exposure to unfiltered sunlight. Take off those sunglasses, relax, un-stress, and sort out cloud formations for a few precious moments. A daily ten minute health-break basking in life giving light will insure you don’t become “sad,” summer or winter.” from April 2000 ShowSight

Those who have been breeding for more than twenty years will agree that misses were not nearly so common as they are today. We fed more table scraps and back then, meat was cheap. But is it just the diet that has caused the steep increase in repro problems? I think not.

Are we all agreed that mutts conceive easily? Our sheltered (read that again, sheltered, i.e. inside, out of the sun!) show dogs often need wine, soft music, and a lot of prayers in order to get pregnant. Does that have to do with genetics? Could it have more to do with the fact that more purebreds have thyroid problems than ever before? Yes. It’s not just that they diagnose it more. The incidence is much higher and it is increasing yearly. Why is that? You know. You just read about sunlight and how it enters through the iris, and how that sets off hormone production. And what does that have to do with mutts? Farm dogs? Hunting dogs? They are outside. Trotting around the neighborhood or living in a “dog lot” until time to hunt. Even most (shudder) puppy mill dogs get sunlight in those rabbit-hutch cages!

Don’t be fooled into believing it’s genetic. That’s a red herring thrown out by dog food and pharmaceutical companies. Why? Because they haven’t figured out how to market sunlight!! In 1991 President Bush was diagnosed with thyroid imbalance. I'm unclear as to whether or not Mrs. Bush was also treated but the big news story was that both she and her Springer Spaniel had complete thyroid panels run! Are we to believe that the best medical brains in the United States thought that President Bush, his wife, and their dog all inherited the same genetic code? Nah. But they all spent a great deal of time inside, in artificial light. Good Presidents work from dawn to dusk. Let’s hope George Jr. gets enough light during his early morning runs and time on the ranch.

Fluorescent lighting. The strobe can cause serious mental, emotional, and hormonal imbalance. Use natural-spectrum incandescent bulbs. Make it a point to get out in the sun for a few minutes each day. It is neither necessary nor advisable to look at the sun in order for the rays to enter the iris. Try the unthinkable – go to bed when you become sleepy and get up when you wake up!! Take time to “expose” yourself to the sun. People have done so for thousands of years. Forget about fading the upholstery; open the curtains for that house-dog! Knock out a south-facing wall in the kennel and install a big picture window.

If I’ve failed to convince you of the importance of light, read the Bible or reflect on your particular religious teachings. In all Beliefs of which I am aware, the light and/or specifically the sun, play a paramount role. We are all descended from sun worshipers. God is Light. Look East…. Many cultures pray facing East. The Native American teepee faced east but by the early 20th early century, most were in reservation housing. From an anthropological perspective, consider that man evolved from living under the moon with respect for and innate knowledge of the sun. He then became a cave dweller, a cliff dweller, and ultimately, just a moving speck within a concrete metropolis. Whereas the life span has doubled due to medical advances, overall health has declined. The more we are shaded by modern life, the more importance we should attach to the sun in our daily life. It is not just about worship, myths, and legends.

You’ve got the idea. Your dogs will be glad and if you apply what you now know to your own health, you too will benefit. As you begin to hear more about how light affects us, just nod and say “I already knew that.” In closing, I am struck by past cognition. Previous columns were excerpted from early nineties. It is now late 2006. Zoloft and Ambien are among the top ten prescriptions in the U.S. And notably, valium and Prozac are now common veterinary prescriptions. Why do dogs need Prozac? Now you know. The use of “mood elevators” in night workers, from entertainers to waitresses and factory workers is at an all time high. Is there a connection?

So turn out the night light, go to bed when it’s dark and live in the light. Take off those “cool” sun glasses, at least for part of the day, when no one is looking…. Well, you know what to do for yourself and to keep your dog off of Valium and other anti-depressants! Be a sun-seeker for your own health and that of your dogs; use natural spectrum bulbs; and avoid fluorescent lighting. Oh, and take off the sunglasses!