Intermittent Fasting Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Alters Gut Microbiota in Metabolic Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Context Intermittent fasting (IF) is an effective strategy to the improvement of cardiometabolic health. Objective To examine the effects of IF on cardiometabolic risk factors and the gut microbiota in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Design Randomized clinical trial. Setting Community Health Service Center. Patients Adults with MS, 30-50 years of age. Intervention 8 weeks of “two-day” modified IF. Main Outcome Measure Cardiometabolic risk factors including body composition, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial function were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. The diversity, composition, and functional pathways of the gut microbiota, as well as circulating gut-derived metabolites were also measured. Results 39 patients with MS were included: 21 in the IF group and 18 in the control group. On fasting days, participants in the IF group reduced 69% of the calorie intake compared to nonfasting days. The 8-week IF significantly reduced fat mass, ameliorated oxidative stress, modulated inflammatory cytokines, and improved the vasodilatory parameters. Furthermore, IF induced significant changes in gut microbiota communities, increased the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and decreased the circulating levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Gut microbiota alteration attributed to the IF was significantly associated with cardiovascular risk factors and resulted in distinct genetic shifts of carbohydrate metabolism in the gut community. Conclusion IF induces a significant alteration of the gut microbial community and functional pathways in a manner, which is closely associated with the mitigation of cardiometabolic risk factors. The study provides potential mechanistic insights into the prevention of adverse outcomes associated with MS.

Gut microbiota modulation as a possible mediating mechanism for fasting-induced alleviation of metabolic complications: a systematic review

“…The production of short-chain fatty acids increased and the circulating levels of lipopolysaccharides decreased. These alterations were significantly associated with improved cardiovascular risk factors and reduced fat mass, ameliorated oxidative stress, modulated inflammatory cytokines and improved vasodilatory parameters and led to distinct genetic shifts of carbohydrate metabolism in the gut community [ 44 ]. Maifeld A, et al examined a fasting program which started with two calorie-restricted vegan days (max 1200 kcal/day), then 5-days with a daily nutritional energy intake of 300–350 kcal/day, followed by a modified DASH diet in patients with metabolic syndrome.…”

Unhealthy Lifestyle and Gut Dysbiosis: A Better Understanding of the Effects of Poor Diet and Nicotine on the Intestinal Microbiome

“…Intermittent fasting, another recently popular diet, led to changes in the microbiome as well as improvement in metabolic parameters ( 138 ). Eight weeks of intermittent fasting revealed that the community structure of the intestinal microbiota was not significantly changed overall, but there were changes in the abundance of Ruminococcaceae at the family level and Roseburia at the genus level.…”

“…Eight weeks of intermittent fasting revealed that the community structure of the intestinal microbiota was not significantly changed overall, but there were changes in the abundance of Ruminococcaceae at the family level and Roseburia at the genus level. This was accompanied by an increased production of SCFA, decreased circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokines, ameliorated markers of oxidative stress, improved vasodilatory parameters, and reduced subject body fat mass ( 138 ). There is great need for further research on the health benefits of fasting and the role it plays in autophagy and cellular regeneration, especially in the liver.…”

Effect of Epidemic Intermittent Fasting on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Calorie restriction is an effective management strategy for CMRFs (6). Intermittent fasting (IF), an important measure of energy restriction, also significantly improves metabolic disease (7)(8)(9)(10).…”