Eating earlier in the day for 4 days changed the activity of several genes that control the body's internal clock in overweight people.
Scientific Claim
Early time-restricted feeding altered the expression of multiple circadian clock genes including BMAL1, CRY1, CRY2, and RORA in overweight adults after 4 days of intervention.
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
This is a randomized controlled trial with direct measurements of gene expression. The verb 'altered' is appropriate for these specific short-term effects.
Source Excerpt
“eTRF significantly increased the expression of the circadian clock genes BMAL1 (8 ± 3%; p = 0.007), CRY1 (14 ± 2%; p < 0.0001), CRY2 (8 ± 4%; p = 0.02), and RORA (12 ± 4%; p = 0.003) in the morning. In the evening, it decreased levels of PER1 (−10 ± 4%; p = 0.02) and increased (or tended to increase) levels of CRY1 (14 ± 4%; p = 0.006), CRY2 (8 ± 4%; p = 0.05), REV-ERBA (12 ± 6%; p = 0.08), and RORA (13 ± 4%; p = 0.006).”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting Evidence (1)
The study measured gene expression of circadian clock genes and found statistically significant changes in multiple genes with eTRF. The direction of change varied by gene and time of day.
Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves 24-Hour Glucose Levels and Affects Markers of the Circadian Clock, Aging, and Autophagy in Humans