Recent research shows that more than a third of US adults suffer from metabolic syndrome, a condition that is linked to several health problems and increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. This syndrome is linked to risk factors such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, writes https://scitechdaily.com/.
Recently, a study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego and the Salk Institute, called TIMET, found that a type of intermittent fasting, called time-restricted eating, can improve the health of people with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes. very much.
Reduces blood sugar and bad cholesterol
Published on September 30, 2024 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study showed improvements in markers of cardiometabolic health, including reductions in blood sugar, cholesterol levels and hemoglobin A1c, an indicator of long-term blood sugar control. time
“Metabolic syndrome, especially when associated with prediabetes, represents a critical period when the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease increases significantly,” said the Dr. Pam Taub, co-author of the study and a professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. reduce type 2 diabetes.”
The benefits of eating with time
The TIMET study is the first to look at the benefits of a personalized time-restricted eating program for patients being treated for metabolic syndrome. In the experiment, 108 participants with metabolic syndrome were divided into two groups: one that followed a time-restricted diet and another that received standard treatments. Both groups received nutritional counseling regarding the Mediterranean diet and used the myCircadianClock app to record their meals.
For those in the time-constrained eating group, the plan was customized to their eating habits, sleep schedule and personal commitments. They were encouraged to limit their eating window to 10 hours a day, starting an hour after waking up and ending at least three hours before bedtime. After three months, participants who followed this regimen saw significant improvements in heart health similar to those achieved with more intensive interventions, according to the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Why does this diet work?
“Our bodies process sugar and fat differently depending on the time of day,” explained Dr. Satchidananda Panda, co-author of the study and a professor at the Salk Institute. “Through time-restricted eating, we return to the body’s natural wisdom and align with circadian rhythms to restore metabolism and promote health.”
The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour biological cycle that affects almost every cell in the body. Disordered eating can disrupt this system, causing symptoms of metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal fat accumulation and abnormal cholesterol levels.
In addition to benefits in blood sugar and cholesterol control, participants saw a reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fat – a type of fat closely linked to metabolic disease. An important aspect is that there was no significant loss of muscle mass, a common concern when losing weight.
What’s next for future treatments?
The TIMET study joins a growing body of evidence supporting intermittent fasting as a practical, affordable and effective intervention for improving cardiometabolic health. The promising results suggest that doctors can recommend this lifestyle to patients with metabolic syndrome as an adjunct to existing treatments, although further studies are needed to assess whether it can be employed in the maintain these benefits and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
“There is a desperate need for more effective, affordable and sustainable treatment options for most people,” says Dr. Taub. “Our research shows that lifestyle interventions such as intermittent fasting can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health.”
@shutterstock
Editor: Raluca Toma
2024-10-08 08:04:53
#simple #eating #habit #reduce #risk #diabetes #heart #disease
