Time-Restricted and Healthy Eating for Liver Diseases

A feasibility and safety study of a time-restricted, healthy eating intervention in patients with liver disease. This twelve-month intervention will focus on prolonged nightly fasting combined with a healthy diet. Successful completion of this feasibility study will provide preliminary data for a larger trial to examine the effects of non-pharmaceutical integrative treatment on liver diseases.

Study Activities

Participants will receive nutritional counseling and health coaching on nightly fasting and healthy eating habits throughout the 12-month study. The interventions include wearing a continuous glucose monitor and an accelerometer, meeting virtually with a dietitian four times, attending four clinic visits in La Jolla, and completing assessments and questionnaires. Participants will also track their eating times daily in the Guava Health Tracker app.

Participant Benefits

While direct health benefits cannot be guaranteed, prolonged nightly fasting could improve sleep, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and enhance metabolic health. Benefits include dietary orientation, expert dietary counseling, education materials, recipes, and access to the Guava health management app. Eligible participants who complete all study visits and requirements may receive up to $200 in compensation.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants may be English or Spanish speaking, must be 18 years or older, have a BMI greater than 27 kg/m², currently practice nightly fasting of less than 12 hours, and be diagnosed with metabolic liver disease (including MASLD, MASH, or cirrhosis) or hepatocellular carcinoma (early to intermediate stages).

Additional Information

Additional study eligibility and participation requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for screening.

Principal Investigator(s)

Nicholas Webster, PhD

Isabel Newton, MD 

Study Duration
12 months
Study Compensation
Up to $200
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619-929-0828
Primary Center