Gene–Diet Interactions Influence Daily Rhythms and Metabolism

Research from Baylor College of Medicine has shed new light on how genetics and diet interact to regulate the body's circadian rhythms, particularly impacting liver function and fat metabolism. The circadian rhythm, a natural 24-hour cycle governing sleep, hormone release, and metabolic processes, is now understood to be influenced not just by core clock genes but also by dietary factors linked to an individual's genetic makeup.

A recent study published in Cell Metabolism highlights that diet-gene interactions modulate daily gene activity patterns in the liver. These patterns influence how fats are processed and stored, which can have implications for obesity, liver health, and metabolic diseases. The research involved analyzing human liver samples and different strains of mice, observing how gene activity varies throughout the day under normal and high-fat dietary conditions.

The study delved into the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, focusing on 3D DNA interactions such as enhancer-promoter connections that regulate gene activity. Findings revealed that genetic variations significantly influence these rhythmic gene expressions, with thousands of genes showing time-dependent activity based on individual genetics. When mice consumed a high-fat diet, their liver gene activity changed in gene-specific ways—some maintaining rhythms, others losing or gaining them.

An important discovery was the role of the gene ESRRγ, identified as a noncanonical clock regulator that impacts fat metabolism. Mice lacking ESRRγ displayed disrupted rhythmic connections and altered fat handling, emphasizing the importance of genetics in determining the timing and efficiency of fat metabolism. The research demonstrated that individual genetic makeup could determine not only how the body handles fat but also when it does so, affecting overall metabolic health.

These findings suggest significant potential for personalized chronotherapy, where treatment and dietary interventions are tailored to an individual’s genetic profile to optimize health outcomes. The research opens pathways for further studies into other organs and diseases, expanding our understanding of how daily biological rhythms are genetically and environmentally modulated.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-genediet-interactions-body-daily-rhythms.html