6:30-7:30pm

Circadian rhythms are natural timekeeping 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, reinstatement of circadian rhythms has been shown to improve metabolic homeostasis. The talk will explore in depth the mechanism and genetic basis behind circadian rhythms, the role of clock proteins and their signaling pathways in white and brown adipose tissue and the role of hormones such as cortisol, insulin, and melatonin.

The talk will examine the interactions between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and circadian rhythmicity, the role of bacterial derived metabolites such as SCFA (short chain fatty acids) and bile acids in influencing circadian cycles. In addition, it will investigate the advancing field of chrono-nutrition that explores the role of meal composition, and specific nutrients along with the relationship between timed eating patterns, circadian rhythms, and metabolic health. Chrono-nutrition may also have therapeutic application in metabolic disorders, which will be explored along with implications for practice.

Sangeeta Pradhan, RD, LDN, CDCES, works as the Diabetes Program Coordinator of the MD practice group, Charles River Medical Associates, and is currently the Chair of the Central Massachusetts Dietetic Association. Sangeeta is a sought-after professional speaker and has presented talks on various topics for professional and community organizations, including Today’s Dietitian, ANCE in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Sangeeta has been on podcasts discussing current topics such as nutrition and cognition, Intermittent fasting and circadian rhythms. A guest blogger for “Food and Nutrition” magazine, Sangeeta’s recipes have been published in the online and print version of this magazine. Her mission in life is to get the facts pertaining to nutrition without the hype, to the common consumer and to this end, blogs on her nutrition and food blog at https://webdietitian.wordpress.com/.