Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Time-restricted eating (TRE), limiting daily dietary intake to a consistent 8 to 10 hours without mandating calorie reduction, may provide cardiometabolic benefits.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of TRE as a lifestyle intervention combined with current standard-of-care treatments on cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04057339).

SETTING

Clinical research institute.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with metabolic syndrome including elevated fasting glucose or hemoglobin A (HbA; pharmacotherapy allowed).

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly assigned to standard-of-care (SOC) nutritional counseling alone (SOC group) or combined with a personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE intervention (≥4-hour reduction in eating window) (TRE group) for 3 months. Timing of dietary intake was tracked in real time using the myCircadianClock smartphone application.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes were HbA, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and glycemic assessments from continuous glucose monitors.

RESULTS

108 participants from the TIMET study completed the intervention (89% of those randomly assigned; 56 women, mean baseline age, 59 years; body mass index of 31.22 kg/m; eating window of 14.19 hours). Compared with SOC, TRE improved HbA by -0.10% (95% CI, -0.19% to -0.003%). Statistical outcomes were adjusted for age. There were no major adverse events.

LIMITATION

Short duration, self-reported diet, potential for multiple elements affecting outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE is an effective practical lifestyle intervention that modestly improves glycemic regulation and may have broader benefits for cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome on top of SOC pharmacotherapy and nutritional counseling.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Institutes of Health.