Metabolic and behavioral effects of time-restricted eating in women with overweight or obesity: Preliminary findings from a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 wk of time-restricted eating (TRE) along with a caloric restriction on metabolic profile, metabolic rate, symptoms of mood, and eating disorders and weight loss in women with overweight or obesity. METHODS: Women age 18 to 59 y with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 were enrolled in this parallel-arm, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (8-h TRE or non-TRE group) using a 2:1 allocation strategy. Both groups received a diet plan with caloric restriction. Body weight, resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and symptoms of mood and eating disorders were evaluated at baseline and on follow up. RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects were included in this study, with 24 in the TRE group and 12 in the non-TRE group. Subject in the TRE group showed more pronounced loss of weight, body fat mass, and fat-free mass than those in the non-TRE group. These losses were not associated with changes in resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and eating or mood disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 8 wk of TRE does not influence behavioral parameters in individuals with overweight or obesity, but could lead to weight loss.

Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an analgesic effect of ginger in the acute treatment of migraine, and there is anecdotal evidence of its efficacy in migraine prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ginger to prevent migraine attacks. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial took place at the Headache Clinic, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil), involving 107 patients. Only subjects diagnosed with episodic migraine, aged between 18 and 60 years old, and who were not taking any prophylactic medication, were enrolled in the study. After one month of observation, subjects selected for the study were randomized 1:1 into placebo and treatment groups. Patients received capsules three times per day of 200 mg of dry extract of ginger (5% active ingredient) or placebo (cellulose) for three months. Visits were performed monthly and the patients were asked to fill in a migraine diary. The adherence to treatment was evaluated by counting capsules. RESULTS: The percentage of patients who responded to treatment (i.e. a reduction of 50% in the number of migraine attacks at the end of treatment) did not differ between the groups. There was a decrease in the number of days with severe pain, analgesic use for acute migraine and duration of migraine attacks in both groups, without significant difference between ginger and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ginger provides no greater benefit in the prophylactic treatment of migraine when compared to placebo. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02570633).