Can eating only during the day help people with Cushing’s disease lose weight?
Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Circadian Cortisol Secretion and Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers in Cushing’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Cortisol dropped dramatically without changes in blood sugar or cholesterol.
Most weight-loss interventions improve metabolic markers like glucose or lipids—this study showed none of that, yet cortisol and weight improved, suggesting a direct circadian effect on hormone regulation.
Practical Takeaways
Try eating only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for 4 weeks if you have stubborn weight gain, especially after hormonal conditions like Cushing’s or PCOS.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Cortisol dropped dramatically without changes in blood sugar or cholesterol.
Most weight-loss interventions improve metabolic markers like glucose or lipids—this study showed none of that, yet cortisol and weight improved, suggesting a direct circadian effect on hormone regulation.
Practical Takeaways
Try eating only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for 4 weeks if you have stubborn weight gain, especially after hormonal conditions like Cushing’s or PCOS.
Publication
Journal
Nutrients
Year
2026
Authors
Lala Soltanova, Ceren Iseri, S. Şahin, Mihriban Kara, Suzan Aydin Guclu, B. Yesilova, Ilkin Muradov, Banu Betül Kocaman, Pınar Kadıoğlu
Related Content
Claims (5)
In adults who have recovered from Cushing’s disease, eating only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for 12 weeks may slightly reduce cortisol levels in the afternoon and evening, but does not change the overall daily pattern of cortisol release.
In adults who have recovered from Cushing’s disease, eating only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for 12 weeks is linked to a 5 cm reduction in waist size, indicating a loss of belly fat without a significant change in total body fat.
Among adults who have recovered from Cushing’s disease but still have obesity, following a daily eating schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with slightly reduced calories was linked to an average weight loss of 11.2 kilograms and a BMI drop of 3.2 kg/m² over 12 weeks. This suggests that limiting eating to an 8-hour window might help maintain weight loss in this group.
In adults who have recovered from Cushing’s disease, following a daily eating schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 12 weeks is linked to a substantial decrease in cortisol levels in urine, which may reflect changes in the activity of the stress hormone system.
For adults who have recovered from Cushing’s disease, following a daily eating schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 12 weeks does not significantly alter blood sugar, long-term glucose control, or cholesterol levels.