Chrononutrition: from epidemiology to molecular mechanism

The realisation of the importance of the timing of food intake across a 24h period has established the field of chrononutrition. This is a field where understanding of basic mechanisms can have translational benefit. 

In this one-day symposium, we have gathered together some of the leading researchers in the field of chrononutrition from the UK, Europe and the USA, to share their latest research from human studies and animal models, and from epidemiology to molecular mechanisms.  We are pleased to highlight a plenary lecture to be given by Satchidananda Panda from the Salk Institute, USA, whose research on circadian rhythms and time restricted feeding has brought to prominence the importance of this field to human health.

Organised by Julian Mercer and Perry Barrett, The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, UK

• Registration is open. Register here
• Abstract submission is open. Submit an abstract

Evidence is accumulating that in humans, our intrinsic circadian rhythm has consequences for the timing of food intake. When we eat during a 24-hour period may underpin a metabolic response dependent upon the size of the meal, leading to a view that there may be an optimal time to consume meals of different caloric contents (breakfast, lunch and dinner); for example, a higher caloric intake during the middle of the day may improve parameters of the metabolic syndrome and reduce body fat.

The gut microbiome may also have a role to play in meal timing. The gut microbiome is a recently identified essential component of mammalian physiology, processing, as it does, nutrients which are important to host metabolism. Disruption of the optimal composition of the gut microflora, for example by diet, can have consequences for host metabolism. It is also becoming evident that the gut microbiome undergoes circadian oscillations and consequently impacts on host metabolism. How this integrates and impacts upon circadian rhythms and metabolic health in humans is unknown.

Kindly supported by the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.