华中科技大学揭示低碳水结合限时饮食的持续减重机制：肠道菌群或成关键突破口

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant study conducted by Professor Liu Gang's team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, which demonstrates that a healthy low-carbohydrate diet combined with time-restricted eating can lead to substantial weight loss and metabolic improvements, even under the same caloric restriction conditions [4][5][7]. Summary by Sections Obesity and Dietary Interventions - The global obesity issue is worsening, with over 610 million people in China classified as overweight or obese. Dietary interventions, particularly low-carbohydrate diets and time-restricted eating, are gaining attention for their effectiveness in weight management [4]. Research Methodology - A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted with 96 overweight or obese participants, divided into four groups: a control group, a healthy low-carbohydrate group, a time-restricted eating group, and a combined low-carbohydrate plus time-restricted eating group. All groups reduced caloric intake by 25% [7][8]. Key Findings 1. Weight Loss and Fat Reduction - Participants lost an average of 3.53 kg (approximately 5%) after 12 weeks. The healthy low-carbohydrate group showed a fat loss of 3.37 kg compared to 2.44 kg in the control group, while the time-restricted eating group lost 3.13 kg but also experienced more muscle loss [8][9]. - After 28 weeks of follow-up, the healthy low-carbohydrate group maintained a significant fat loss of 0.85 kg compared to baseline levels [14]. 2. Metabolic Improvements - Significant improvements were observed in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and liver and kidney function. Continuous blood glucose monitoring indicated a notable decrease in overall blood glucose levels, suggesting more stable blood sugar fluctuations [10][11]. 3. Gut Microbiome Changes - The healthy low-carbohydrate diet inhibited amino acid synthesis functions in the gut microbiome, reducing branched-chain amino acids associated with insulin resistance, while increasing unsaturated fatty acid levels. Time-restricted eating promoted the proliferation of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, potentially influencing energy metabolism and inflammation regulation [12]. Implications for Precision Nutrition - The study highlights the potential of optimizing carbohydrate quality and implementing time-restricted eating to achieve additional metabolic benefits beyond caloric restriction. The identification of biomarkers related to weight loss through machine learning offers a scientific basis for personalized weight management strategies [13][14].