Pre-Sleep Feeding Cutoff is the strategic practice of establishing a defined time boundary several hours before habitual bedtime after which no further caloric intake is consumed. This behavioral intervention is designed to align the digestive and metabolic processes with the nocturnal rest phase, ensuring the body is in a fasted state during the critical deep sleep window. Adhering to this cutoff supports optimal hormonal release and metabolic recovery.
Origin
This concept is rooted in chrononutrition and the study of the circadian rhythm’s influence on metabolism, which demonstrates that digestive enzyme activity and glucose tolerance decline in the evening. The practice formalizes the evolutionary mismatch between modern late-night eating habits and the body’s intrinsic biological timing. It is a key component of time-restricted feeding protocols.
Mechanism
Implementing a feeding cutoff ensures that the rise of insulin and the subsequent suppression of nocturnal hormones are avoided during the critical sleep phase. Specifically, it prevents the blunting of the nighttime growth hormone pulse, which is highly sensitive to elevated blood glucose and insulin levels. This fasting period allows the body to prioritize repair, cellular cleanup, and fat oxidation, which are crucial for metabolic health and hormonal regeneration.
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