Time-restricted feeding as a dietary strategy against metabolic disturbances in humans

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Olga Ramich
• Subject Area: Nutritional Sciences ; Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 434112826

A growing body of evidence suggests that the circadian clock tightly interacts with metabolic functions and that timing of eating is an important factor of metabolic regulation. It appears that meal time-based strategies can be employed to prevent obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Time-restricted feeding (TRF), a form of intermittent fasting, characterised by prolonged fasting period in course of the day is an increasingly popular dietary approach for weight loss and overall health, but scientific evidence is poor. Animal studies revealed protective effects of TFR against obesity, glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet. Published human studies showed contradictory results for the restriction of food intake to the beginning (early TRF) or to the end of the day (late TRF) and did not carefully monitor caloric intake and individual’s chronotypes. We hypothesized that, upon a constant body weight, an early TRF would have more beneficial metabolic effects in comparison with late TRF in subjects with metabolic disturbances.To investigate this, we propose to conduct a cross-over study to compare effects of two isocaloric diets – (i) an early TRF vs. (ii) a late TRF - on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in overweight subjects with prediabetes. We will additionally investigate molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic changes in adipose tissue. Results of the study will contribute to the development of a simple and cost-effective dietary approach for the prevention and therapy of metabolic disturbances.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants