What is the Origin of Metabolic Light Pollution?

This term merges the environmental concept of 'light pollution' with the clinical domain of 'metabolic' health, highlighting the pervasive, non-visual consequence of nighttime light exposure. It emphasizes the disruptive influence on the body's intrinsic biological timing.

What is the Mechanism of Metabolic Light Pollution?

Light exposure at night directly suppresses the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, a hormone with known anti-diabetic and metabolic regulatory properties. This disruption shifts the circadian clock, leading to mistimed insulin secretion and reduced glucose tolerance, a condition known as chronodisruption. The resultant desynchronization between the central pacemaker and peripheral metabolic clocks promotes insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

Metabolic Light Pollution ∞ Area

Metabolic Light Pollution

Meaning

Metabolic Light Pollution describes the detrimental physiological impact of inappropriate exposure to artificial light, particularly short-wavelength blue light, during the biological night, leading to acute and chronic disruption of metabolic homeostasis. This exposure is a significant environmental stressor that interferes with the time-dependent regulation of glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism. It is a modern contributor to metabolic dysfunction.