Meal frequency and plasma lipids and lipoproteins

Abstract

Epidemiological data suggesting benefits of increased meal frequency on CHD risk and lipid and lipoprotein levels may be flawed because of biases associated with the method of data collection. In normolipidaemic individuals increasing meal frequency from three to six or more meals daily over a period of several weeks appears to be associated with reduced levels of total and LDL-cholesterol, possibly due to reduced cholesterol synthesis or enhancement of reverse cholesterol transport. However, in non-obese individuals with polygenic hyperlipidaemia and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, altered meal frequency does not appear to confer similar benefits. The reasons for the different responses in these groups of subjects is not clear. The reported effects of altered meal frequency on diurnal levels of triacylglycerols and fatty acids are more variable, with benefits being reported principally in association with meal frequencies exceeding those which might be translated into practical recommendations. Present data preclude recommendations concerning meal frequency on the basis of effects on lipids and lipoproteins. Even in healthy individuals amongst whom benefits have been observed, the periods of observation have been relatively short and it is not known whether adaptation occurs. Further research should focus on longer-term studies in healthy individuals as well as hyperinsulinaemic and diabetic subjects. For those individuals choosing to have a large number of small meals each day, it is relevant to emphasize that no untoward effects of increased meal frequency on lipids or lipoproteins have been demonstrated.

Eating two larger meals a day (breakfast and lunch) is more effective than six smaller meals in a reduced-energy regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised crossover study

“…Some studies have suggested that people who consume more snacks are less likely to be obese [31], but other large prospective studies have demonstrated that frequent snacking may lead to weight gain [32] and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes [33, 34] because of the higher energy intake, mainly from added sugars [35]. Furthermore, the reported benefits of more frequent meals are usually associated with meal frequencies exceeding those which might be translated into practical recommendations [36]. In fact, some of the early experiments with frequency of eating [37, 38] only underline the importance of fibre and low glycaemic index foods in the diet.…”

International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: meal frequency

“…Although not all research agrees regarding blood markers of health such as total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose tolerance, it appears that increasing meal frequency may have a beneficial effect. Mann [64] concluded in his review article that there seems to be no deleterious effects in regard to plasma lipids or lipoproteins by eating a relatively large number of smaller meals. It is noted, however, that the studies where benefits have been observed with increased meal frequency have been relatively short and it is not known whether these positive adaptations would occur in longer duration studies [64].…”

Relationship between frequency of eating and cardiovascular disease mortality in U.S. adults: the NHANES III follow-up study

“…Spreading daily food consumption into more meals is postulated to result in better metabolic health and lower adiposity [1–3], especially for metabolically-normal individuals [4]. People eating fewer times per day and thus consuming more energy per occasion would have worse lipid profiles than those eating more times per day, with lower energy intake per eating occasion [5, 6].…”

“…Many of the existing studies on health benefits of eating frequently are based on controlled laboratory feeding experiments [4, 6–8]. In the real world, total daily energy intake may increase when the number of eating occasions is higher [11–13].…”