Here is the ideal time to eat, according to this study
Working night shifts or working shifts can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes. But is it possible to circumvent the harmful effects of these out of sync eating habits?
Researchers from the Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of Pennsylvania provide enlightening answers about how our body “knows” when it’s time to eat.
The liver and brain regulate appetite
Scientists have discovered that the liver plays a key role in regulating our eating habits by communicating directly with the brain via the vagus nerve. This dialogue informs the brain whether our meals are aligned with our internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm. According to Professor Mitchell Lazar, co-author of the study: “This circuit provides feedback from the liver to the central clock in the brain, allowing the system to function harmoniously.”
When we eat at unusual times, for example while working night shifts, this communication can be disrupted. The brain, not receiving the usual signals, can then compensate by encouraging us to eat more at the wrong times, which leads to overconsumption and weight gain.
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To understand this mechanism, researchers conducted experiments on mice by targeting specific genes in liver cells. These proteins are essential for regulating the circadian rhythm. When they turned off these genes, the mice changed their eating habits, consuming more food during their less active periods.
By cutting the nerve connection between the liver and brain in obese mice, scientists were able to restore normal eating habits and reduce their food intake. This suggests that this communication pathway could be a potential target to help people with offbeat lifestyles.
Night workers and jet lag
Researcher Lauren N. Woodie points out: “Targeting this communication between the liver and brain could be a promising approach to managing weight in individuals with disrupted circadian rhythms.”.
This discovery opens the way to new therapies aimed at helping night workers or people suffering from jet lag. By identifying the specific chemical signals that the liver sends to the vagus nerve, researchers hope to better understand how this communication influences our appetite and metabolism.