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Some Aspects of the Chronobiology of Nutrition: More Work is Needed on "When to Eat"¹

Chronobiology Laboratories, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Chronobiology involves the objective resolution with modern hardware and software of biologic time structure, now known to characterize most, if not all, body functions; it is also the science of timely intervention, a challenge to nutritionists. At all ages, yet the sooner the better, starting preferably in the womb but at least immediately after birth, the application of the principles of chronobiology requires the study of nutrition. In many cases, e.g., in the case of an increased risk of developing high blood pressure later in life, dietary preventive interventions should eventually precede drug treatment. That such intervention should take place at the earliest individualized recognition of risk seems reasonable and is an aim of chronobiologic research. In any event, a mathematical rhythm spectrum becomes evident in any variable measured with sufficient density over an appropriately long span; it constitutes the fabric of all life. In the science and practice of nutrition today, "cherchez le contrôle" (i.e., the provision of a control) requires the assessment of a multifrequency rhythmic structure.

KEY WORDS: • chronobiology • circadian rhythms • biological rhythms

¹ This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (GM-13981); National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute & National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (HL-40650); Nippon Colin Ltd. (Komaki, Japan); Hoechst Italia Foundation, Milan; Earl Bakken & Dr. Betty Sullivan Funds.

Manuscript received 19 July 1988. Revision accepted 26 October 1988.