Alternate-day fasting as a diet strategy
Alternate-day fasting as a diet strategy
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago examined the effects of alternate-day fasting under controlled conditions on body weight and coronary artery disease risk in obese adults.
First, the details.
- 16 obese people completed 10 weeks of a treatment, which consisted of 3 phases.
- 2-week control phase
- 4-week weight loss/alternate-day fast controlled food intake phase
- 4-week weight loss/alternate-day fast self-selected food intake phase
- The baseline energy requirement was determined for each participant.
- Participants consumed 25% of their baseline energy needs on the “fast” day and then consumed food ad libitum (at one’s pleasure) on each alternate “feed” day.
- During this controlled food intake phase, they were provided with a calorie-restricted meal on each fast day, and consumed food ad libitum at home on the alternate day.
- On the ad libitum food intake day, they were instructed to limit fat intake to 30% of energy needs by choosing low-fat meat and dairy options.
And, the results.
- The rate of weight loss was about the same during controlled food intake (0.67 kg/week) and self-selected food intake phases (0.68 kg/week).
- Body weight decreased significantly (5.8%) after 8 weeks of diet.
- Percentage body fat decreased significantly from 45% to 42%.
- Total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were lowered significantly by 21%, 25%, and 32%, respectively, after 8 weeks of alternate day fast; whereas HDL (good) cholesterol was unchanged.
- Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly from 124 to 116 mm Hg.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “These findings suggest that alternate-day fasting is a viable diet option to help obese individuals lose weight and decrease coronary artery disease risk.”
There’s no free lunch. Remember, even on the alternate (non-fasting) day, the participants had to follow a diet protocol.
12/24/10 21:18 JR