Time-restricted eating (TRE), a variety of fasting that entails eating within a specified time frame, has been linked to improved glucose control and weight loss in adults with metabolic syndrome, according to recent research. In a randomized controlled trial involving 108 participants who tracked their eating habits via the myCircadianClock (mCC) app, it was observed that those who practiced TRE experienced greater reductions in fat mass and enhanced glucose control compared to those who merely followed standard dietary guidance alone.
Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study examined the effects of TRE on glucose regulation, fat mass, and weight loss in adults with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is not a discrete condition, but a collection of risk factors linked to an increased probability of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of personalized TRE, coupled with standard nutritional counseling, as a lifestyle intervention. The findings suggested that TRE, coupled with standard nutritional counseling, achieved slightly better improvements in glucose control and reductions in weight and fat mass compared to just standard nutritional counseling alone.
Commonly incorporated into intermittent fasting, TRE is growing in popularity as a strategy for weight management. The most typical method involves the consumption of food within a period of 8 to 12 hours each day while fasting outside that period, allowing only water and calorie-free beverages.
TRE has been proposed to offer multiple health benefits, including weight loss, particularly for individuals who are overweight or obese. It has also been shown to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Other potential benefits include enhanced cognitive function, anti-aging and anti-cancer properties, and improved insulin sensitivity.
The participants in the study were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was given healthy lifestyle and nutritional advice, like following the Mediterranean diet, and were advised to maintain their normal eating patterns and any prescribed medications. The second group received the same nutritional guidance but was also instructed to follow a personalized 8-10-hour eating window.
During a three-month intervention period, participants used the myCircadianClock (mCC) app to record their daily meal times. The primary focus of the study was alterations in fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a blood test that reveals your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, which can help monitor or diagnose diabetes.
According to the results, compared to the group receiving only standard nutritional guidance, the TRE group experienced a greater reduction in weight, with a larger proportion of the weight loss coming from fat. This suggests that TRE may decrease the risk of muscle loss typically associated with weight loss. Despite the modest changes, the TRE group also experienced more significant improvements in blood sugar control and hemoglobin A1c levels.
These findings indicate that TRE is an effective and feasible lifestyle intervention that positively affects glycemic control and cardiometabolic health. Emily N.C. Manoogian, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, shared the key findings. “In adults with metabolic syndrome, we found that TRE was safe, even when combined with common medications such as Metformin and Statins, provided benefits to multiple aspects of this complex syndrome including HbA1c (blood sugar), LDL cholesterol and body composition (loss of fat while maintaining lean mass).”
Mir B Ali, MD, board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of Memorial Care Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, said the research is in line with other studies that have highlighted the advantages of intermittent fasting and TRE. Ali emphasized the importance of choosing the right foods for weight loss, but also noted that fasting could guide the body towards burning fat.
However, more research is needed to understand the health impacts of TRE better, according to Manoogian. But the study does contribute to the expanding body of research on TRE and metabolic syndromes. The usage of the myCircadianClock (mCC) app also paves the way for future research to be conducted remotely and on a larger scale.
