Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

Why You Are REALLY Depressed During Winter: NOT Vitamin D

9 snips
Feb 4, 2026
They explore why winter low mood is not just about vitamin D and how sunlight influences thousands of genes beyond vitamin production. Topics include circadian disruption from shorter days and artificial blue light, melatonin imbalances, thyroid stress from cold, and seasonal effects on the microbiome. Practical fixes like morning full-spectrum light, evening light management, and seasonal diet and activity are highlighted.
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INSIGHT

Sunlight Regulates Hundreds Of Genes

  • Sunlight affects over 2,000 genes beyond vitamin D, including those for serotonin and melatonin.
  • Lack of daytime sun in winter desynchronizes biology and reduces the ability to feel pleasure.
INSIGHT

Circadian Misalignment Drives Winter Low Mood

  • Winter darkness misaligns the central circadian clock, altering hormones and sleep timing.
  • This circadian disruption underlies seasonal affective feelings more than simple sadness.
INSIGHT

Two Melatonins: Brain Versus Cellular

  • Melatonin exists both in the brain (pineal) and inside cells (mitochondrial) with different roles.
  • Winter boosts brain melatonin making you sleepy while lowering cellular melatonin protected by sun-derived infrared.
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