Bed Rest, Alternate Daily Fasting and Incretin Effect

A Randomized Controlled Study on the Incretin Effect, Cognitive Function and Controlled Fasting During Bed Rest in Healthy Male Volunteers

Bed rest produces insulin resistance in healthy volunteers. In this study the investigators aim to investigate the effect of 8 days bed rest on the incretin effect and how alternate daily fasting affects cognitive function and the insulin resistance produced by bed rest.

The subjects will be randomized to either 3 meals a day (isocaloric diet), alternate daily fasting or one meal/day every second day (25% of daily calorie need) and four meals/day every second (175% of daily calorie need).

The investigators hypothesize:

1. Bed rest reduces the incretin effect
2. Alternate daily fasting improves the cognitive function (memory and concentration) compared to isocaloric diet
3. Alternate daily fasting reduces insulin resistance produced by bed rest compared to isocaloric diet

All subjects will undergo 8 days of bedrest. Outcome measures will be performed before, under and immediately after the bed rest period.

The individual study period will be 10 days in total.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI<25kg/m2
• VO2 max normal for age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Tobacco smoking
• Alcohol ingestion > 14 units per week
• Diabetes in nearby relatives
• Resection of the small intestine
• History of gastric bypass surgery
• Risk of deep venous thrombosis
• Female