Early versus late time-restricted feeding in adults at risk of T2DM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early versus late time-restricted feeding: its effects on metabolic disease risk factors in adults at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
IRAS ID
257999
Contact name
Denise Robertson
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN32122407
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 9 days
Research summary
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the beneficial metabolic and cardiovascular effects of fasting(1). Most studies have focused on limited types of fasting diets, such as, intermittent energy restriction (where fasting is limited to 2 or more days each week) and alternate day fasting (fasting every other day). Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is an alternative to these regimens, employing similar principles by extending the overnight fast and reducing the duration of the eating period during the day, but also considers the relationship between the time of day and food intake.
In animals, TRF has been shown to be protective against the development of obesity and metabolic disorders(2), reversing the progression of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM)(3). In humans, there is some evidence to suggest that TRF may facilitate a reduction in weight and adiposity, as well as improvements in metabolic physiology(4; 5; 6). However, TRF research in humans is limited and it remains unclear as to whether it is better to restrict your food consumption to earlier, or later in the day.
This study will compare early- versus late-TRF in adults at increased risk of developing T2DM, in order to identify whether there is an optimal time of day to restrict the feeding period to, which may confer superior benefits for metabolic health.
Participants will be randomised to 1 of 3 intervention groups (control group; early-TRF group; and late-TRF group). At regular intervals, the following tests will be performed: dietary assessments, anthropometric measures, body composition assessments, fasted blood tests, Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests and assessment of vascular function and arterial stiffness.
To our knowledge, this is the first human intervention trial comparing early- versus late-TRF in those at increased risk of developing T2DM.
References
1. Harvie, M. and Howell, A. (2017) 'Potential Benefits and Harms of Intermittent Energy Restriction and Intermittent Fasting Amongst Obese, Overweight and Normal Weight Subjects-A Narrative Review of Human and Animal Evidence', Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 7(1), pp. 4. doi: 10.3390/bs7010004.
2. Hatori, M., Vollmers, C., Zarrinpar, A., DiTacchio, L., Bushong, E.A., Gill, S., Leblanc, M., Chaix, A., Joens, M., Fitzpatrick, J.A., Ellisman, M.H. and Panda, S. (2012) 'Time-restricted feeding without reducing caloric intake prevents metabolic diseases in mice fed a high-fat diet', Cell metabolism, 15(6), pp. 848-860. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.04.019 [doi].
3. Chaix, A., Zarrinpar, A., Miu, P. and Panda, S. (2014) 'Time-Restricted Feeding Is a Preventative and Therapeutic Intervention against Diverse Nutritional Challenges', Cell Metabolism, 20(6), pp. 991-1005. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2014.11.001.
4. Antoni, R., Robertson, T.M., Robertson, M.D. and Johnston, J.D. (2018) 'A pilot feasibility study exploring the effects of a moderate time-restricted feeding intervention on energy intake, adiposity and metabolic physiology in free-living human subjects', Journal of Nutritional Science, 7, pp. 393-399. doi: 10.1017/jns.2018.13.
5. Gill, S. and Panda, S. (2015) A Smartphone App Reveals Erratic Diurnal Eating Patterns in Humans that Can Be Modulated for Health Benefits.
6. Sutton, E.F., Beyl, R., Early, K.S., Cefalu, W.T., Ravussin, E. and Peterson, C.M. (2018) 'Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes', Cell Metabolism, 27(6), pp. 1221.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.04.010.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0540
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion