Effect of Intermittent Fasting Diet on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Patients with Impaired Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The question of whether or not intermittent fasting diets improve the clinical indicators of glycolipid metabolism remains unclear. This study systematically reviewed the relevant clinical trials to evaluate the effects of intermittent fasting diet on glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome. To evaluate the effect of intermittent fasting diet intervention on patients with disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, random-effect or fixed-effect meta-analysis models were used to calculate the average difference before and after intermittent fasting diet intervention and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). After intermittent fasting diet intervention, in terms of glucose metabolism, fasting blood glucose reduced by 0.15 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.23; −0.06), glycosylated hemoglobin reduced by 0.08 (95% CIs: −0.25; −0.10), insulin plasma levels reduced by 13.25 uUI (95% CIs: −16.69; −9.82), and HOMA-IR decreased by 0.31 on an average (95% CIs: −0.44; −0.19). In addition, BMI decreased by 0.8 kg/m2 (95% CIs: −1.32; −0.28), body weight reduced by 1.87 kg (95% CIs: −2.67; −1.07), and the waist circumference decreased by 2.08 cm (95% CIs: −3.06; −1.10). Analysis of lipid metabolism showed that intermittent fasting diet intervention effectively reduced the total cholesterol level by 0.32 mmol/L (95% CIs: −0.60; −0.05), low-density lipoprotein level by 0.22 mmol/L (95% CIs: −0.37; −0.07), and triglyceride level by 0.04 mmol/L (95% CIs: −0.15; −0.07). Intermittent fasting diets have certain therapeutic effects on blood glucose and lipids in patients with metabolic syndrome and significantly improve insulin resistance. It may be considered as an auxiliary treatment to prevent the occurrence and development of chronic diseases.

The Effectiveness of Self-Management Book in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…This section also explores the experience of fasting in the final week because other studies have also proven the effects of fasting on blood sugar control. 32 Regarding the difficulty in accessing information about a healthy DM lifestyle, in this study, DM sufferers also stated that they had no difficulty obtaining information about a healthy DM lifestyle. When reviewed in more depth, most of the contents are related to the way of life of DM sufferers.…”

Therapeutic Fasting and Vitamin D Levels: A New Dimension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Management—A Brief Report

“…10 Another systematic review and meta-analysis on fasting and T2DM found that fasting lowers BMI, insulin resistance, glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1C), blood glucose levels, leptin, and increases adipokine concentration. 14 15 These evidences indicate a positive role of therapeutic fasting in T2DM.…”

Metabolic changes with intermittent fasting

“…Two studies found no change in weight in lean and metabolically healthy participants 22,25 . BMI decreased after IF compared to an ad libitum diet in 13 out of 14 reviews 6,11,12,15–17,20,21,23–25,27,29,30 …”

“…22,25 BMI decreased after IF compared to an ad libitum diet in 13 out of 14 reviews. 6,11,12,[15][16][17]20,21,[23][24][25]27,29,30 IF versus CER Nineteen reviews found a comparable weight loss following IF and CER. [4][5][6]11,18,19,23,[25][26][27][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] In terms of BMI change, five reviews compared IF to CER, finding no significant difference between the two interventions.…”

“…5,14,21,25,29,30,37 Four of these reviews did not include any participants with T2D and therefore most participants did not have any glucose abnormalities at baseline. 30 Two out of three reviews that included participants with T2D showed a trend towards decreasing HbA1c that did not meet statistical significance. 14,37 Twelve reviews analysed fasting insulin levels in IF versus an ad libitum diet.…”