The Holy Grail on Intermittent Fasting

December 30, 2021Diet, Exercise & Healthy Living Browse by Staff Member LIZ MOON, NP Diet & Nutrition

The Holy Grail on Intermittent Fasting

by Liz Moon, NP

If you follow Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health on social media, you know we have written about intermittent fasting (IF) in the past. Both Dr. Troy and Claire Allen, RD have shared numerous research studies touting its benefits. Up until now, there has been little synthesis of the STRENGTH and QUALITY of the evidence. A recent study published in JAMA (Intermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials) aimed to synthesize the strength and quality of evidence on this topic.

Intermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials

There are several types of intermittent fasting. Alternate-day fasting (ADF) involves alternating days of zero caloric intake with days of ad lib eating (eating as much as you feel your body needs and listening to physiological cues). Modified alternate-day fasting (MADF), alternates days of ad lib eating with days of fasting with caloric intake that is 0-40% kcal/day. The 5:2 diet involves fasting 1-2 days/week with total caloric intake of 0-40% kcal/day and 5 days of ad lib eating. Time-restricted eating (TRE) involves fasting for at least 12 of 24 hours/day.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of IF for many health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Patikorn et al stated, there was HIGH QUALITY evidence suggesting “IF is associated with successful weight loss and metabolic benefits among adults with obesity. MADF and the 5:2 diet were the only IF types that were associated with statistically significant weight loss of more than 5% in adults with overweight or obesity.” There was MODERATE QUALITY evidence for implementing: (1) MADF for 2 to 6 months to reduced body weight and fat-free mass in adults with overweight or obesity; (2) zero-calorie ADF for 1 to 2 months that was associated with reduced fat mass in overweight or obesity adults; (3) 5:2 diet for 3 to 6 months that was associated with reduced fasting insulin in women with overweight or obesity.

More clinical trials are needed to investigate the association of IF with (1) a broader range of populations such as adolescents, the elderly, and other special populations, (2) clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes remission, etc., (3) the gut microbiome and association with improved health outcomes, (4) and short- and long-term safety outcomes.

If you would like to learn more about IF and if it would be an appropriate dietary approach for you, please contact us today. With 2022 upon us, getting healthy and weight loss are always top of the list goals. We have a robust weight management program comprising expert clinicians to help guide you. Call us today at 224-407-4400 or request an appointment at www.compgihealth.com.