In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry sits down with Danielle "Dani" Hamilton, functional nutritional therapy practitioner, restorative wellness specialist, and blood sugar expert - to dive deep into a fascinating but often overlooked aspect of metabolic health: the healing power of light and circadian rhythms. We'll unpack why aligning with natural light cycles is foundational for metabolic health, how sunlight and circadian rhythms influence everything from mitochondrial function to blood sugar, and explore simple, actionable strategies practitioners can use right away.

In this interview, we discuss:

-How light and circadian rhythms affect metabolic health (e.g., its role in hormone & neurotransmitter orchestration)

-Different types of light in human physiology - and the roles they play (e.g., how UVB light triggers Vitamin D production)

-How food timing impacts blood sugar

-Practical strategies throughout the day to improve metabolic health, such as the importance of sunrise exposure and eating breakfast within an hour of sunrise

-Common concerns about sunscreen, sunglasses, and work schedules

-The issue of behavioral change and logistics when implementing these strategies

The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health.

Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/

Connect with Danielle Hamilton:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellehamiltonhealth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellehamiltonhealth

Podcast: https://lightupyourmetabolism.buzzsprout.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9oPLW019uqEZc_Ftvyn5Q

Use code CLINICIAN to get 10% off any of Danielle's courses.

Timestamps: 00:00 Paleo Diet Struggles in New York

10:00 Understanding Time and Task Coordination

12:23 Circadian Rhythm: Restaurant Analogy

18:40 Sunrise Light Boosts Health

21:56 Sunlight Angle Determines Light Type

29:06 Melanin: Nature's Sunscreen

35:44 Latitude's Impact on Health Risks

42:41 Pre-Workout Nutrition Inquiry

43:24 "Nourish Before Morning Exercise"

52:15 "Evening Lighting: Mimic Firelight"

57:05 Client Support Strategies

59:11 "Get That D Program Launch"

Speaker bio:

Danielle "Dani" Hamilton is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and blood sugar expert who helps people heal their metabolism using a personalized circadian, seasonal, and quantum approach. After reversing her own PCOS, hypoglycemia, and acne by addressing blood sugar and metabolic health, she began helping others do the same. When some clients still struggled despite doing "everything right," Dani turned to nature—light, water, magnetism, and seasonal rhythms—for deeper healing. She's the host of Light Up Your Metabolism and creator of the transformative Blood Sugar Mastery Program.

Keywords:

functional nutrition, blood sugar regulation, circadian rhythm, light therapy, mitochondrial health, PCOS reversal, metabolic health, infrared light, UV light, melatonin, leptin resistance, insulin sensitivity, meal timing, intermittent fasting, sunlight exposure, sunscreen debate, vitamin D production, ancestral health, skin pigmentation, blue light exposure, sleep optimization, mitochondria and energy, cellular hydration, meal composition, leptin signaling, hormone regulation, grounding, electron transport chain, blue blocking glasses, evening routines

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.