Chronobiology and nutrition
1983
Halberg, Franz
The study of biological rhythms, referred to as chronobiology, indicates that there may be a relationship between circadian rhythms and meal timing. Two studies demonstrated that when subjects consumed their largest meal at breakfast, or were required to eat a "free-choice" meal at that time, they lost more weight than when allowed to eat their largest meal, or have their "free-choice" meal, at night. Results suggest that the extent of change in internal timing among circadian rhythms is greatly influenced by meal timing. Calories appear to be utilized differently at different stages of circadian, circaseptan and circannual rhythms. Hence, meal timing may influence how much nutrition can be extracted from a food source, as well as tolerance to toxic drugs, and the efficacy and safety of treating a disease. Further study is needed to determine if the timing of meals can affect health maintenance or prevent diseases. (kbc)
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library
