Intermittent Fasting Linked to Weight Loss: Study
In recent years, intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a weight loss strategy, with many people swearing by its effectiveness. But does the science back up these claims? A new study published in The BMJ has shed some light on the topic, finding that intermittent fasting methods can indeed lead to weight loss and improve certain health markers.
The study, which was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), looked at the effects of two different forms of intermittent fasting on weight loss and metabolic health. The two methods tested were time-restricted eating and alternate-day fasting.
Time-restricted eating involves restricting your eating window to a certain period of the day, such as 8am to 6pm, and then fasting for the remaining 16 hours. Alternate-day fasting, on the other hand, involves alternating between days of normal eating and days of complete or modified fasting.
The researchers recruited 150 obese adults and randomly assigned them to one of the two intermittent fasting groups or a control group that followed a traditional daily calorie restriction diet. The participants were then followed for 12 weeks to track their weight loss and changes in various health markers.
The results of the study were promising. Both the time-restricted eating and alternate-day fasting groups experienced significant weight loss, with the time-restricted eating group losing an average of 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) and the alternate-day fasting group losing an average of 4.7 kilograms (10.4 pounds). In comparison, the control group lost an average of 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds).
But it wasn’t just weight loss that improved in the intermittent fasting groups. The researchers also found significant improvements in various heart and metabolic markers, including:
- Reduced blood pressure: The time-restricted eating group saw a significant reduction in blood pressure, with an average decrease of 3.5 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) in systolic blood pressure and 1.5 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure.
- Improved insulin sensitivity: Both the time-restricted eating and alternate-day fasting groups showed significant improvements in insulin sensitivity, which is an important marker of metabolic health.
- Reduced triglycerides: The alternate-day fasting group saw a significant reduction in triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood.
- Increased human growth hormone (HGH) production: The time-restricted eating group saw a significant increase in production of HGH, which is important for muscle growth and repair.
The researchers also found that both intermittent fasting groups had similar short-term benefits compared to the control group, which suggests that these approaches may be viable alternatives to traditional daily calorie restriction for managing health and weight.
So, what does this mean for you? If you’re looking to lose weight and improve your overall health, intermittent fasting may be worth considering. However, it’s important to note that this study only looked at the effects of intermittent fasting on obese adults, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in other populations.
Additionally, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or fasting regimen, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. They can help you determine if intermittent fasting is safe and appropriate for you.
In conclusion, the study published in The BMJ provides promising evidence that intermittent fasting can be an effective way to lose weight and improve certain health markers. While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of intermittent fasting, these findings suggest that it may be a viable alternative to traditional daily calorie restriction for managing health and weight.
Source:
https://thepfc.club/blogs/news/what-science-says-about-intermittent-fasting-and-weight-loss
