Our circadian clock dictates our daily functions, when
we eat, when we sleep, and our activities in between are all influenced by our
circadian clock. It ensures that our physiological processes are operating
correctly and at the appropriate times, but since we’re all human and our
circadian clocks get thrown into the ringer numerous times, our bodily
functions may not be working in the optimal conditions as we want them to. The
substances that we ingest and put into our bodies have a great effect on the
functions of our circadian clock, which can make us either more tired or more
energized depending on what we eat. According to the journal article,
“Physiological responses to food intake throughout the day” the researchers
talk about how a change within our circadian clocks shifts our metabolic
rhythms, which help maintain glucose homeostasis, and insulin response, the
article also takes about how eating at a certain time of day will influence fat
and sugar profiles and eating at different times every day will influence
adiposity and body weight; these changes may occur due to the timed feeding
cycle that is not in sync with our circadian clocks.
This article talked about a study done in mice and how housing them in a light and dark cycle and fed them with a high fat diet would gain more weight when food is available only in the light phases of the cycle, the part of the cycle where they should be resting. This study was interesting because they compared the mice meal timing to humans and how we have an increased interest on the effects of meal timing on metabolism and body weight. They found correlations between people who eat at night with obesity and that night eating syndrome is most prevalent in the obese and overweight people. Weight loss studies, stated in the article, also points out the correlation between food timing and body weight; in one of the experiments they had women who were obese/overweight to consume an energy restricted diet with different portions of energy dispersed throughout breakfast and dinner. Those who consumed more energy at breakfast lost more weight but also improved their metabolic functionality in insulin sensitivity and triglyceride concentrations. This study supports the hypothesis that the timing at which we eat our food is an important factor in maintaining a regular body weight.
Article Source:
Johnston, J. D. (2014). Physiological responses to food intake throughout the day. Nutrition Research Reviews, 27(1), 107–118. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0954422414000055.
I've seen studies previously (https://www.colorado.edu/today/2014/11/17/working-night-shift-burns-less-energy-and-increases-risk-weight-gain) on weight gain in people who work night shifts. In light of the fact that our response to eating food changes depending on when we eat in our circadian cycle, is it ethical to require people to work at night? As future health professionals (who will probably end up working at night at least a little in our lives) we will need to be extra careful with our health.
ReplyDeleteThis was a thought-provoking and relevant post, especially for college students! Future studies involving participants' circadian clocks and metabolic functionality, particularly in regard to weight loss, could further analyze how gender, age, occupation, and genetics play a role in this crucial relationship. Also, how important is consistency in the timing at which we eat compared to the exact times at which we eat? Would consistent eating habits also result in improved metabolic function? I'm also very curious how people who are totally blind and struggle with non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder might have impaired metabolic functions. Would medicine taken for this condition, such as Hetlioz, also improve metabolic functions?
ReplyDelete