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Posted on Jun 25, 2012, 6 a.m.
Mice restricted to eating for just hours per day gained less weight than mice that ate the same number of calories but were allowed to eat around the clock.
New research suggests that when it comes to preventing weight gain, when you eat may be just as important as how much you eat. Satchidananda Panda of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and colleagues conducted a study to determine whether obesity is simply due to eating a high-fat diet or whether unrestricted eating (eating frequently throughout the day and night) also plays a role. To do this mice were fed a high-fat diet and allowed to eat ad libitum (whenever they wanted) or had restricted access to food (8-hours per day). Results showed that while both groups of mice consumed the same number of calories, those in the restricted feeding group were protected from the adverse effects of a high-fat diet. They gained less weight, suffered less liver damage, and had lower levels of inflammation. Results also showed that restricted feeding had a positive impact on metabolic cycles, which play an important role in liver metabolism, nutrient utilization, and energy expenditure. The researchers say that their findings suggest that restricted feeding may offer a “nonpharmacological strategy against obesity and associated diseases.”
Megumi Hatori, Christopher Vollmers, Amir Zarrinpar, et al. Time-restricted feeding without reducing caloric intake prevents metabolic diseases in mice fed a high-fat diet. Cell Metab. Published ahead of print May 16, 2012.
