Very low-carbohydrate (VLC) diet with intermittent fasting (IF) have been shown to improve glycemic control and promote weight loss. However, their sustainability beyond 12 months has yet to be shown. This observational study aimed to assess sustainable weight loss and improvement in metabolic profile with such strategy in a self-motivated cohort. Subjects were recruited from a social media-based group who had to be on VLC±IF. Participants completed a questionnaire through on online survey tool. Participants voluntarily provided laboratory data pre-and post-lifestyle intervention. 63 patients participated in the study. Mean length on the diet was 35.8 months. Mean weight loss was 16.1 kg (|Z|-value 4.13, p<.0001). 53/63 (84.1%) respondents practiced IF. 18/63 (28.6%) reported fasting for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window whereas 15/63 (23.8%) reported fasting for 18 hours and eat within a 6-hour window. Mean carbohydrate intake was 10%. Change in mean glucose level was from 121.6 mg/dl to 90.4 mg/dl (|Z|-value 3.08, p 0.0034) and hemoglobin A1c from 6.87% to 5.2% (|Z|-value 3.96, p .0002). Triglycerides level showed reduction from 159.4 mg/dl to 98.4 mg/dl (|Z|-value 3.39, p 0.0012). HDL levels increased from 50.2 mg/dl to 66.9 mg/dl (|Z|-value 3.46, p<0.001) whereas total cholesterol level and LDL level increased from 206.3 mg/dl to 236 mg/dl (|Z|-value 1.94, p 0.0561) and from 138.4 mg/dl to 156.4 mg/dl (|Z|-value 1.68, p 0.0977) respectively. Participation of social media-based support group provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of different dietary and fasting approaches in real-world situations and is more likely to indicate the durability of such approaches. Although observational in nature with the caveat of self-reporting, the results are promising and call for larger, randomized trials.
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