Morning Sun Keeps Off Pounds?

(Ivanhoe Newswire) –The newest research in managing your weight suggests that the timing, intensity, and duration of your light exposure during the day are linked to your weight.  

Researchers at Northwestern Medicine found that people who had most of their daily exposure to even moderately bright light in the morning had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those who had most of their light exposure later in the day.  The effect of morning light on body weight was independent of an individual’s physical activity level, caloric intake, sleep timing, age, or season. 

"Light is the most potent agent to synchronize your internal body clock that regulates circadian rhythms, which in turn also regulate energy balance," study senior author Phyllis C. Zee, MD, was quoted as saying. "The message is that you should get more bright light between 8 a.m. and noon." About 20 to 30 minutes of morning light is enough to affect BMI. Dr. Zee says that if a person does not get enough light at the appropriate time of day, it could de-synchronize your internal body clock, which is known to affect metabolism and can lead to weight gain. 

For more information, go to: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2014/04/morning-rays-keep-off-the-pounds.html