By Joan Abaasa
Communications Officer- ICPAU
Dr. Michael Ntumwa, a General Practitioner at Aga Khan University Hospital, emphasised that human health and well-being fundamentally depend on the natural environment. In his presentation, Taking Advantage of Our Natural Environment, at the 12th Economic Forum at Imperial Resort Beach Entebbe, he explained how utilising nature can optimise our health.
Dr. Ntumwa highlighted that human beings are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent gain. He recommended recognising the adaptive nature of our bodies to improve health outcomes.
“Unused abilities become excess capacity and through constructive adaptation, we can lead our bodies towards better health,” he remarked.
He pointed out that our bodies are constantly in a state of surveillance, responding to threats, temperature changes, feeding opportunities, and time. This awareness, termed Zeitgebers, aligns our circadian cycles, ensuring our availability matches our needs and capacity. Dr. Ntumwa emphasised that the two You’s—Night & Day vs. Bright & Dark affect how we function.
According to Dr. Ntumwa, "What time is it?" and "What is happening in our sleep?" are crucial questions. He explained that during sleep, our body is in an active state of anabolism, gene expression, and memory consolidation.
Dr. Ntumwa asserted that sleep is the first pillar of human health because it impacts everything including diet, hydration, exercise, mental health, well-being, and performance. To sleep better, he advised regular exercise as cardio exercises improve sleep quality, break chronic insomnia, and are best done in the morning for endurance benefits.
Furthermore, he stressed that light management is crucial through exposure to sunlight, minimising artificial light, and using warm indoor lighting. He advised that the sleep environment should be cool with appropriate cover thickness and darkness to support melatonin peaks, noting that a work-free zone aids better sleep quality.
He noted that evening or night-time gym sessions can disrupt physiological streams by increasing cortisol and adrenaline, thus interrupting melatonin production. Although not ideal, it is better than nothing, he elaborated.
Dr. Ntumwa concluded by highlighting the importance of aligning our lifestyle with nature for optimum health. He urged participants to understand and utilise natural cues, improve their sleep patterns, and adopt healthy habits to significantly enhance their well-being and productivity.
