Increasing evidence suggests that meal timing affects metabolic health. For example, intermittent fasting (IF) may have positive effects on plasma glucose and lipid levels, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure. However, IF protocols often result in significant weight loss. Therefore, it is not clear to what extent these beneficial metabolic effects are due to IF or to weight loss. Although the effect of IF independent of weight loss has been studied, daily energy intake in those studies did not differ between the days. Therefore, the investigators aim to examine the effect of alternating energy intake - i.e. standardised day-to-day fluctuations in energy intake - on metabolic health independent of weight loss.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
23
To alternate between caloric overconsumption (130% of usual total energy needs) and caloric underconsumption (70% of usual total energy needs) on a daily basis for 6 days/week followed by one ad libitum day for 4 weeks.
To consume the usual energy intake (100% of total energy needs) on a daily basis for 6 days/week, also followed by one ad libitum day for 4 weeks.
Maastricht University Medical Center
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
RECRUITINGTriacylglycerol area under the curve (AUC)
The 4-hour AUC for triacylglycerol after consumption of a standardised mixed meal
Time frame: 4 hours
Fasting glucose metabolism
Fasting glucose metabolism (includes e.g. glucose and insulin concentrations)
Time frame: Baseline, week 2, and twice in week 4
Fasting lipid metabolism
Fasting serum lipid and lipoprotein profile
Time frame: Baseline, week 2, and twice in week 4
Marker for postprandial lipid metabolism
Marker for lipid metabolism includes triacylglycerol and will be measured after consumption of a standardised mixed meal
Time frame: 4 hour period after consumption of a standardised mixed meal
Markers for postprandial glucose metabolism
Markers for glucose metabolism include insulin and glucose and will be measured after consumption of a standardised mixed meal
Time frame: 4 hour period after consumption of a standardised mixed meal
24-hour glucose levels
The total area under the curve (tAUC) for 24-hour glucose as measured with a continuous glucose sensor
Time frame: 24 hours
Day-time glucose levels
The tAUC for day-time glucose (07:00 - 22:00 h) as measured with a continuous glucose sensor
Time frame: From 07:00 to 22:00 (15 hours)
Night-time glucose levels
The tAUC for night-time glucose (22:01 - 06:59 h) as measured with a continuous glucose sensor
Time frame: From 22:01 to 06:59 (8 hours and 58 min)
Glucose levels after main meal consumption
The tAUC for glucose during 2 hours after main meal consumption (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as measured with a continuous glucose sensor.
Time frame: 2 hours
The mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)
MAGE as parameter for the assessment of glycemic variability.
Time frame: 24 hours
Continuous overall net glycemic action (CONGA)
CONGA to assess intraday glucose variability within predetermined time windows -\> 1-hour interval (CONGA-1), 2-hour interval (CONGA-2), and 4-hour interval (CONGA-4).
Time frame: 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours
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