414 Inflammation and Evening Meals [3 April 2017]

Dr. Mercola has been promoting what he calls “intermittent fasting” for a few years now. He claims that eating only between noon and 6 pm will lower triglyceride levels, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, increase fat burning and help you lose or maintain weight. Is there any evidence for these claims?

A recent study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-10) to look for links between frequency and timing of eating, and health. Specifically they looked for C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation; and HOMA-IR, a method of assessing insulin resistance. Regarding eating habits, the researchers looked at a) proportion of daily calories consumed after 5pm; b) number of meals or snacks per day; and c) the length of nighttime fasting.

The biggest correlation found was between % of calories consumed after 5 pm and the level of CRP. Each 10% increase in evening calories was associated with a 3% increase in CRP. A longer fasting period was associated with an 8% CRP reduction but only for those women with less than 30% of calories consumed after 5pm (meaning that a heavy supper counters the benefits of longer fasting). None of the eating variables were significantly correlated with insulin resistance although other studies have shown that more frequent (smaller) meals, and eating your highest calorie meal at breakfast rather than dinner (supper), improve insulin levels.

Why are CRP and insulin levels significant? Because inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases including many types of cancer, heart disease, arthritis (and all other “itises”). Higher insulin levels, as I have written about previously several times over the years, also is linked to not only diabetes but also cancers, arthritis, and many other chronic conditions.

So eating the same foods and total calories per day, just at different times, can lower our risk of inflammation and therefore many different chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. I know I eat my largest meal in the evening, usually between 7 and 8 pm, then work/play at the computer for a few hours before going to bed. It will be a challenge to change my habits but likely worth the effort. I’ll let you know how I do.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.