Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome

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: ; 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: , fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and glycemic assessments from continuous glucose monitors. RESULTS: 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.