How hormones help keep the body’s internal clock on time

Circadian desynchronization may increase metabolic risks, contributing to diabetes and obesity.

• Daily variations in metabolism and behavior are regulated by a network of circadian clocks, including a master clock in the hypothalamus and secondary clocks in other organs.
• Light cues synchronize the master clock, which sends signals to other body clocks through neuronal and hormonal pathways.
• Feeding at atypical times can reset the phase of peripheral clocks, indicating the influence of meal timing on circadian rhythms.
• Hormonal signals from adrenal glucocorticoids, melatonin, and leptin function as internal time-givers that help synchronize the body's clocks.
• Circadian deregulation may arise from factors like shift work or chronic jet lag, negatively affecting metabolic regulation.

Simplified