Episode 275: Darkness and Nighttime Hormones
Each night, the onset of darkness ushers in a cascade of hormones that help us detoxify, repair, manage metabolism, boost immunity and rejuvenate our entire system. They include hormones like melatonin, growth hormone, leptin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin. These hormones are time-sensitive and require true darkness to fully operate. Growth hormone, for example, is supposed to have a big surge around midnight when you are already in slow-wave sleep (which means you’d have needed to go to sleep around 10). Growth hormone plays a role in our metabolic health and if you regularly miss that surge opportunity, it can compromise the way you utilize protein, fats and carbs.
God turned the lights off for a reason and we need to too so that we can get to sleep and experience the full benefits of the way He designed our bodies to be well. Listen to this week’s episode to get fascinating insight on this aspect of circadian rhythm and how you can optimize your nighttime hormones.
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275: Darkness and Nighttime Hormones
SHOW NOTES
00:00 The Importance of Darkness in Our Body's Functioning
09:30 Hormonal Cascade During Sleep
22:54 The Role of Thyroid and Metabolism
27:12 Melatonin: The Winter Vitamin D
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Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!