Body’s Circadian Rhythms Upset By High-Fat Diet, Causing Metabolic Problems

The circadian clock – the internal body clock that regulates metabolic functions in the liver – can reprogram itself depending on the nutritional content, especially the fat content, of a person’s diet, U.S. researchers report. The day-night pattern of circadian rhythms affects about 15 percent of human genes, including those involved with metabolic pathways in the liver. A high-fat diet reprograms the liver clock, contributing to ailments such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. The researchers noted, however, that returning to a balanced, low-fat diet normalizes the rhythms. The findings could lead to the discovery of drug targets for controlled diets.