As nutrition science continues to evolve, dietitians are faced with staying abreast of the latest research on circadian rhythms and their implications for nutrition and metabolism. Circadian rhythms are natural, time-keeping mechanisms that have evolved since time immemorial, and play a pivotal role in driving fundamental, physiological processes in the body, ranging from sleep-wake cycles, and temperature control, to energy and glucose metabolism. Current lifestyles involving jet lag, shift work, mis-timed food, and light exposure create a misalignment with the body’s natural circadian rhythms, presenting a threat to these age-old rhythms and subsequent metabolic dysfunction. However, re-instatement of circadian rhythms has been shown to improve metabolic homeostasis. 

On Wednesday, January 10, from 2-3:30 p.m. ET, join Sangeeta Pradhan, M.Ed., RD, LDN, CDCES for an interactive presentation that will explore in depth the mechanism and genetic basis behind circadian rhythms, the role of clock proteins and their signaling pathways, and the role of hormones such as cortisol, insulin, and melatonin. Sangeeta will examine the interactions between the microbiota and circadian rhythmicity, and the role of bacterial-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in influencing host circadian cycles. Lastly, Sangeeta will discuss the advancing field of chrono-nutrition, its possible therapeutic application in metabolic disorders, and implications for practice. Practitioners will leave this presentation with a comprehensive understanding of the role of circadian rhythms in the context of nutrition and metabolism, as well as the ability to incorporate these considerations into consultations to provide a more patient-centered approach to care.