Diabetes is a debilitating disease in which the blood glucose levels cannot be regulated, and in type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin efficiently to drop the glucose. Scientists have long been studying the effects of diabetes, and despite all of the advice and studies, telling people to eat better is just not working to keep the numbers of diabetes down. Scientists in England are changing their game to research whether the time of day that people eat will affect their obesity and cholesterol levels.
Cost of Diabetes
The cost of diabetes is high both monetarily and health wise for people who suffer from it. It leads people down a slippery slope and patients who have diabetes often end up with more serious health problems, especially with the eyes, heart, and nerves. Stopping diabetes before it starts is the best way to ensure health for those who are on the edge.
Premise of the Study
Led by Dr. Denise Robertson, this study wants to know if the time people eat could affect obesity and cholesterol levels, which are major factors in the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The participants will be broken into three groups: one group will not change their eating times, one group will be asked only to eat between 7 am and 3 pm, and the other group will be asked only to eat between 12 noon and 8 pm. Interestingly, scientists will use new eye gaze technology to see if people’s food preferences have changed as they gather the data throughout the study.
Effects on Home and Family
Obviously, with dramatic changes in the time you eat, this will have an impact on your home and family life, and scientists will determine if this is plausible in the long term. With new meal times, participants may find it difficult to stick to the new schedule. But on the other hand, it could open them up to an easy way to change obesity and cholesterol habits.
To use a sports analogy, the best defense is a good offense. If scientists are able to determine that time of day helps those who are prone to obesity and high cholesterol, then these people will be able to make lifestyle choices that make a long-term difference to their health.
