Circadian Biology: The Missing Link Behind Your Sleep, Energy & Metabolism

Most people think they have a health problem. Low energy. Poor sleep. Sluggish metabolism. So they try to fix it with more supplements, more tracking, more effort. But what if the problem isn’t what you’re doing… it’s what your body is receiving? In this episode of the Age With Intention Podcast, Art Aviles sits down with Zaid Dahhaj, to break down the fundamentals of circadian biology—and why light, timing, and environmental inputs may be driving the majority of your health outcomes. They unpack: Why your circadian system is the “operating system” of your bodyHow light exposure shapes sleep, hormones, and energyThe real impact of blue light from phones, LEDs, and modern environmentsWhy sleep problems often start during the dayThe truth about sun exposure and sunscreenWhether we’ve misunderstood the role of the sun in long-term healthHow artificial light and indoor living may be disrupting biology at scaleSimple 80/20 rules to realign your body without overcomplicating your life This conversation challenges the idea that you need more hacks to feel better. Instead, it points to something simpler— Your body isn’t broken. It’s responding to the inputs you give it. Time Stamp: 00:00 The Journey to Circadian Biology 03:07 Understanding Holistic Health vs. Reductionism 04:35 Identifying Modern Health Inputs 05:49 The Role of UV Light in Health 08:48 The Impact of Sunglasses on Circadian Health 13:43 Navigating Technology and Blue Light 16:58 Driving at Night and Light Sensitivity 19:05 Cataracts and Circadian Disruption 21:13 The Future of Health Education 22:06 Curiosity and Education as Catalysts for Change 24:04 The Role of Sun Exposure and Skin Health 28:51 Circadian Alignment: The Key to Health 31:54 The Impact of Meal Timing on Metabolism 39:12 Rapid Fire Insights on Health and Wellness Start by Following Zaid on Instagram: @zaidkdahhaj This is where you can expand your education on circadian health, a huge foundation to the groundwork I love working on to better my health