Body Clock, Blood Sugar Control Seem Linked

"A strong link exists between the body's biological clock and blood sugar control, say U.S. researchers who conducted lab experiments on mouse and human stem cells, as well as genetically engineered mice.

'The most surprising part of our findings is that our internal biologic rhythms are embedded directly into another pathway, one that is essential to regulate metabolism,' senior author Dr. Brian Feldman, an assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, said in a university news release.

The researchers found that daily fluctuations in hormones called glucocorticoids synchronize the biological clock as part of the mechanism for regulating blood sugar levels. The finding may help lead to new ways to control diabetics' blood sugar levels and may improve understanding of why night-shift workers are at risk for obesity and diabetes."