What if a key regulator of blood sugar, fat storage, and insulin sensitivity was hiding in plain sight, active only in the dark?

In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie explores one of the most overlooked hormonal players in metabolic function. It’s not a supplement, not a medication, and not a superfood, but it profoundly influences metabolic health. It plays a role in glucose uptake, mitochondrial health, and inflammatory balance. You’ll discover how this nighttime signal impacts leptin and insulin and why testing and personalization matter more than ever.

If your clients are doing “all the right things” and still struggling with stubborn weight or glucose spikes, this might be the missing piece.

What’s Inside This Episode?

• A deep dive into the circadian hormone that influences insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function
• How nighttime habits, light exposure, and stress blunt metabolic recovery
• The unexpected impact of this hormone on appetite regulation and fat storage
• Why common supplement protocols may backfire without genetic context
• Nutrient and lifestyle strategies that enhance endogenous production safely
• Testing options to assess hormonal circadian alignment and insulin response

Resources and Links

• Download the transcript here
• Download our FREE Metabolic Health Guide here
• Join the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for resources and community support
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• Visit INEMethod.com for advanced practitioner training and clinical mentorship
• Explore other podcast episodes here
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References

• Reiter RJ, et al. Melatonin in mitochondria: roles in oxidative stress and aging. J Pineal Res. 2010.
• Cipolla-Neto J, et al. Melatonin and energy metabolism. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014.
• Lane JM, et al. MTNR1B gene variant and glucose metabolism. Diabetes. 2016.
• Tuomi T, et al. MTNR1B variants impair beta-cell function. Cell Metab. 2016.
• Anderson G, et al. Melatonin’s role in insulin sensitivity. Sleep Med Rev. 2015.
• Gómez-Abellán P, et al. Circadian rhythms and metabolic regulation. Int J Obes. 2020.
• Arendt J. Human circadian rhythms and melatonin. J Endocrinol. 2005.

Khan A, et al. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipid metabolism. Diabetes Care. 2003.