Abstract
In mammals, the circadian clock system regulates many physiological functions such as feeding, sleep-wake behavior, hormones and metabolism. Regular feeding pattern can entrain peripheral circadian clock system, whereas circadian clock can control absorption/ metabolism of food and nutrition. Thus, the interaction between food/nutrition and circadian clock is so-called as “chrono-nutrition”. For example, a bigger meal for breakfast is effective for protection from obesity, and also for entrainment of peripheral circadian clock. Intake of high fat diet disturbed the circadian clock and this clock disturbance potentiates the obesity. Circadian clock system exists in the white adipose tissue, and clock gene such as Bmal1 controls the differentiation of adipose cells and accumulation of fat in the cells. We demonstrated that fish oil, especially tuna oil, containing rich DHA/EPA increased insulin secretion and entrained peripheral circadian clock. Talking about nutrition including lipids, the idea of “chrono-nutrition” may become important and provide new aspects of the form of nutrition action.
