Study on the influence of fasting on weight & heart health

Krista A Varady et al.

November 2013

Heart / Circulatory system

Intermittent fasting

The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois investigated the possibilities that alternate-day fasting (ADF) offers normal-weight people to influence body weight and the risk of heart disease.

The researchers conducted a twelve-week study with 32 subjects (BMI 20-29.9 kg/m2) who were randomly divided into an ADF and a control group.

Over the course of the treatment , body weight in the ADF group decreased by 5.2 ± 0.9 kg compared to the control group, and fat mass was reduced by 3.6 ± 0.7 kg.

The triacylglycerol, leptin and CRP concentrations decreased, the adiponectin value and the size of the LDL particles increased.

LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, homocysteine and resistin concentrations remained unchanged after twelve weeks of treatment.

These results suggest that ADF is effective for weight reduction and cardiovascular protection in both normal-weight and overweight adults.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Obesity, cardiovascular complaints
Institution: Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois, USA
Title: Study on the influence of fasting on weight & heart health
Brief description: A 12-week study shows that alternate-day fasting (ADF) reduces weight and lowers the risk of heart disease.
Original title: Alternate day fasting for weight loss in normal weight and overweight subjects: a randomized controlled trial
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24215592/