Time-restricted feeding influences immune responses without compromising muscle performance in older men

This study examined the effect of 12 wk of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on complete blood cell counts, natural killer cells, and muscle performance in 20- and 50-year-old men.

Forty active and healthy participants were randomly divided into young experimental, young control, aged experimental, and aged control group. Experimental groups participated in TRF. Before (P1) and after (P2) TRF, participants performed a maximal exercise test to quantify muscle power. Resting venous blood samples were collected for blood count calculation.

No changes were identified in muscle power in all groups after TRF (P > 0.05). At P1, red cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly higher in young participants compared with elderly participants (P < 0.05). At P2, this age effect was not found in red cells between the young experimental group and the aged experimental group (P > 0.05). At P1, white blood cells and neutrophils were significantly higher in young participants compared with elderly participants (P < 0.05). At P2, only neutrophils decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in experimental groups without significant (P > 0.05) difference among them. Lymphocytes decreased significantly in the aged experimental group at P2 (P < 0.05), whereas NKCD16⁺ and NKCD56⁺ decreased significantly in experimental groups at P2 (P < 0.05). TRF had no effect on CD3, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ levels (P > 0.05).

TRF decreases hematocrit, total white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in young and older men. TRF may be effective in preventing inflammation by decreasing natural killer cells. As such, TRF could be a lifestyle strategy to reduce systemic low-grade inflammation and age-related chronic diseases linked to immunosenescence, without compromising physical performance.