The influence of intermittent fasting on the circadian pattern of melatonin while controlling for caloric intake, energy expenditure, light exposure, and sleep schedules: a preliminary report

ALMENEESSIER AS; BAHAMMAM SA; CARDINALI DP; BAHAMMAM AS; SHARIF MM; NASHWAN SZ; PANDI-PERUMAL SR; ALZOGHAIBI M

ANNALS OF THORACIC MEDICINE

MEDKNOW PUBLICATIONS

Lugar: New Dehli; Año: 2017 vol. 12 p. 183 - 190

1817-1737

AIMS: Wehypothesized that if we control for food composition, caloric intake, lightexposure, sleep schedule, and exercise, intermittent fasting would notinfluence the circadian pattern of melatonin. Therefore, we designed this studyto assess the effect of intermittent fasting on the circadian pattern ofmelatonin.RESULTS:The melatonin levels followed the same circadian pattern during the threemonitoring periods (BL, FOR, and Ramadan). The peak melatonin level wasat 02:00 h and the trough level was at 11:00 h in all studied periods. Lowermelatonin levels at 22:00 h were found during fasting compared to BL. Cosinoranalysis revealed no significant changes in the acrophase of melatonin levels.CONCLUSIONS:In this preliminary report, under controlled conditions of light exposure, mealcomposition, energy expenditure, and sleep-wake schedules, intermittent fastinghas no significant influence on the circadian pattern of melatonin.