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Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System.

Sophie M T Wehrens1, Skevoulla Christou1, Cheryl Isherwood1

  • 1Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Stag Hill Campus, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|June 6, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Delayed meal timing significantly impacts human circadian rhythms, particularly glucose metabolism and peripheral clock gene expression. This highlights the importance of meal timing for synchronizing internal body clocks.

Keywords:
actigraphychrononutritionclock genefood timingglucose homeostasisjet lagmeal timingperipheral clocksshift workwhite adipose tissue

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Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Metabolism
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Circadian rhythms, metabolism, and nutrition are interconnected.
  • The influence of meal timing on human circadian systems remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how a 5-hour delay in meal timing affects markers of the human master clock and peripheral circadian rhythms.
  • To understand the relationship between feeding schedules and internal biological timing.

Main Methods:

  • Ten healthy young men participated in a 13-day laboratory study.
  • Participants experienced early and late meal schedules (5-hour interval) followed by a 37-hour constant routine.
  • Circadian rhythms were assessed through various physiological and molecular markers.

Main Results:

  • Late meal timing delayed plasma glucose rhythms by over 5 hours and decreased average glucose concentration.
  • Peripheral PER2 mRNA rhythms in adipose tissue were also delayed by approximately 1 hour.
  • No significant effects were observed on sleep parameters, subjective hunger/sleepiness, master clock hormones (melatonin, cortisol), or plasma triglycerides.

Conclusions:

  • Meal timing plays a crucial role in synchronizing peripheral circadian rhythms in humans.
  • Delayed feeding can alter glucose regulation and molecular clock timing.
  • Findings are relevant for individuals with circadian rhythm disorders, shift workers, and travelers.