Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEMDec 16, 2011

The body’s internal clock controls metabolism timing

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

Circadian rhythms operate on a cycle of approximately 24 hours and influence various metabolic and physiological functions.

Disruption of circadian rhythms is linked to sleep disorders, depression, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
Molecular components of the circadian clock interact with cellular metabolism regulators.
Metabolite availability and feeding behavior can influence the regulation of the circadian clock.
Understanding the relationship between circadian rhythms and metabolism may inform therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.

Simplified

Circadian rhythms occur with a periodicity of approximately 24h and regulate a wide array of metabolic and physiologic functions. Accumulating epidemiological and genetic evidence indicates that disruption of circadian rhythms can be directly linked to many pathological conditions, including sleep disorders, depression, metabolic syndrome and cancer. Intriguingly, several molecular gears constituting the clock machinery have been found to establish functional interplays with regulators of cellular metabolism. Although the circadian clock regulates multiple metabolic pathways, metabolite availability and feeding behavior can in turn regulate the circadian clock. An in-depth understanding of this reciprocal regulation of circadian rhythms and cellular metabolism may provide insights into the development of therapeutic intervention against specific metabolic disorders.

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The body’s internal clock controls metabolism timing

Abstract

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