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I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond weight loss There is a guy who did a nice work summaris

by Evgeny 12y ago

I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond weight loss There is a guy who did a nice work summarising the scientific findings. http://www.lift-heavy.com/intermittent-fasting/ http://www.lift-heavy.com/intermittent-fasting/ Many studies are on animal subjects, but there are human studies too which show more than just weight loss Calorie restriction in humans is associated with weight loss, reduced inflammation and improved markers for cardiovascular and metabolic health in obese (9,10) as well as non-obese (11,12) subjects In another study, fasting healthy men and women were compared to a matched non-fasting group with regard to inflammation markers and blood lipid status (61). No differences were observed in body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL levels. There was however an increase in HDL levels and decreased inflammation – proposing a beneficial effect in the fasted subjects. In obese subjects, a modified 8-10 week alternate-day fasting regimen resulted in weight loss, reduced blood pressure and heart rate, and improved markers for cardiovascular health, such as decreased total cholesterol, decreased LDL and triglycerides, increased HDL concentrations and decreased oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, suggesting that alternate-day fasting might be a novel strategy for decreasing body weight and improving cardiovascular health in the obese population (64,68). eight healthy men were maintained on a 20h modified alternate-day fast for two weeks. Despite unaltered body weight and habitual physical activity, insulin dependent glucose uptake increased, and increased adiponectin levels were observed (65). In another trial, the insulin sensitizing effect of true alternate-day fasting was observed through reduced insulin response to a standardized meal in men, but not women – suggesting a potential sex difference in the effect of alternate-day fasting on glucose metabolism (66). I'm also doing intermittent fasting - a 36 hour fast each week - and plan to do longer fasts maybe every 3-4 months - for health reasons.

leshow 12y ago
In many studies they compare a control group eating a maintenance caloric intake with a fasting group that is in a caloric deficit. The results of positive health benefits of fasting usually have to do with the fact that the subjects are actually in a caloric deficit more than the studies choice of meal timing. I'd have to dig in to those specific studies to show that, but don't read an abstract and think that it in any way tells the whole story.

by Evgeny 12y ago

leshow 12y ago

In many studies they compare a control group eating a maintenance caloric intake with a fasting group that is in a caloric deficit. The results of positive health benefits of fasting usually have to do with the fact that the subjects are actually in a caloric deficit more than the studies choice of meal timing. I'd have to dig in to those specific studies to show that, but don't read an abstract and think that it in any way tells the whole story.