Naturally-derived chronobiotics in chrononutrition
Trends in Food Science & Technology Volume 95, January 2020, Pages 173-182 ElisaDufoo-Hurtadoa
Highlights
• A disrupted circadian rhythm leads to various health problems.
• Bioactive compounds can correct circadian disorders.
• There is limited research about the chronobiotic effect of bioactive compounds.
• Clinical trials evaluating the chronobiotics effects of compounds/foods are needed.
Background
The circadian clock is an evolved autonomous timekeeping system that aligns body functions to the solar course, by anticipating/coordinating the required metabolic activities; such internal clock responds to several exogenous stimuli (Zeitgebers) able to synchronize the endogenous rhythm. A disrupted circadian rhythm leads to several neurodegenerative and metabolic illness such as obesity, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders.
Scope and approach
Circadian rhythm disorders have no current medical treatment, but chrononutrition has emerged as an important tool to enhance metabolic and nutritional health in sleep disorders. This review highlights the effects of meal timing, food types, nutrients and several bioactive xenobiotic compounds (chronobiotics) on circadian clocks. The potential application of diet therapies is discussed particularly to deal with certain metabolic disorders related to circadian misalignment.
Key findings and conclusions:
The desynchronization of circadian rhythms negatively influences health necessitating the development of molecular modulators of circadian rhythms including food components, meal timing, or different diet types that can help correct circadian disorders attenuating the burden of chronic diseases. However, there is limited research on the chronobiotic effect of specific foods/compounds in clinical trials. Animal studies evaluating the chronobiological response, resulting from the ingestion of a particular food, are also limited; most available studies (in vitro and animal models) report the effect of a single nutrient (e.g., caffeine, palmitate, among others) which is difficult to translate to real-life situations. This review offers the perspective of a chronobiotic-based approach, identifying targets for health improvement, which are current lifestyle-associated issues.