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Quick Hits: The Sun Deficiency Epidemic: Could Sunlight Be the Missing Link in Modern Health W/ Gerardo Gutierrez

The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health

Release Date: 09/22/2026

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The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health

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More Episodes

Welcome to Quick Hits, where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.

Today’s clip comes from one of our most popular conversations.

Want the full episode? You’ll find the link below.

Are we getting enough of the right kind of light?

In this Quick Hits episode, I pull out the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Gerardo “Guti” Gutierrez on sunlight, UVB, vitamin D, red light therapy, infrared light, circadian rhythm, and hormone health.

We break down why sunlight is about far more than vitamin D, how UVA and UVB affect the body differently, why people living in northern climates may get very little UVB for much of the year, and how the light we get during the day can affect sleep, mood, metabolism, and hormones.

You’ll also hear why morning light, midday UVB, infrared light, and nighttime blue-light exposure all send different signals to the body, and why modern indoor living may be disrupting those natural rhythms.

In this Quick Hits episode:

  • The difference between UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared light
  • Why UVB is necessary for vitamin D production in the skin
  • Why sunlight and taking a vitamin D supplement are not exactly the same thing
  • Why Canadians and others living in northern climates may get very little UVB during winter
  • How morning sunlight supports your circadian rhythm
  • Why bright artificial light at night can interfere with sleep
  • The connection between sunlight, mood, metabolism, and hormone signaling
  • How red and near-infrared light interact with mitochondria
  • Red light therapy vs. UVB light therapy
  • Why timing, wavelength, and light exposure matter more than most people realize

Guti also shares his personal experience of increasing his testosterone after making several lifestyle changes, including more sunlight, exercise, and better sleep.

Want to try the MitoLux UVB Vitamin D Red Light Box? Get 10% off with code KM10.

If you enjoyed this Quick Hits episode, listen to the full conversation for a much deeper dive into sunlight, UVB exposure, vitamin D, red light therapy, circadian health, mitochondria, and hormones. Listen here.

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Excessive UV exposure can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and increase skin cancer risk. Follow appropriate sun-safety guidance and device instructions.

 

 

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Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?

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Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

 

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