Eating at the same time every day could help fight dementia, finds study

Eating at the same time every day could help combat neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, new research finds.

An inherited condition that damages certain nerve cells in the brain, Huntington’s Disease (HD) is thought to affect around 6,700 people in the UK.

And while there is currently no cure for it, a new study published in the journal eNeuro might have found a way to improve quality of life for patients diagnosed with the condition.

As well as showing better gene expression in the region of the brain associated with body control, which often degenerates in HD, the study also found that regular meals improved both eating habits and heart health.

Researchers from The University of California, LA, restricted mice’s food intake in animals genetically engineered to have a rodent form of HD, the Express reports.

And while one group were only given food during a six-hour period when they were most active, the remainder were free to eat whenever they liked.

Results revealed that the mice who were given regular meal plans showed improved gene expression in the striatum and better cardiovascular health.

As such, the team believe that restricting eating to an eight-hour period could prove a useful management tool for human’s with neurodegenerative diseases.

“This data suggests feeding schedules could play a role in the treatment of HD and could lead to the development of new treatment options for neurodegenerative disorders,” said study author Professor Christopher Colwell.

“Lifestyle changes that not only improve the quality of life but also delay disease progression for HD patients are greatly needed.”