The influence of meal frequency on diurnal lipid, glucose and cortisol levels in normal subjects

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Abstract
Diurnal levels of serum triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acids, glucose and cortisol were measured in 4 normal persons on a fixed solid 65% carbohydrate diet under steady state conditions in a metabolic unit. Triglyceride levels in all subjects showed similar patterns, which unexpectedly did not bear a simple relation to meal frequency or distribution. With 3 equivalent meals per day at 09.00, 12.00 and 17.00 h, ''fasting'' triglyceride levels increased by about 0.3 g/l from a minimum value between 03.00 and 05.00 h in the morning till before breakfast. After breakfast there was a continued rise till about 15.00 h and then an overall fall in spite of the meal at 17.00 h. Isocaloric change to 8 equivalent meals, consumed between 09.00 and 23.00 h, resulted in a similar although slightly more even triglyceride pattern. On 8 equivalent meals, spaced evenly over the entire 24 h period, a different pattern was found with lower triglyceride values in the daytime than at night. Increase in meal frequency did not result in a lowering of mean diurnal triglyceride levels. The cholesterol pattern followed the triglyceride pattern most clearly in subjects with high triglyceride levels. Glucose showed the expected postprandial increments. Cortisol rhythm did not change on varying meal frequency. [Atherosclerosis is discussed.].

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