Intermittent fasting positively modulates human gut microbial diversity and ameliorates blood lipid profile

Abstract

AimThe aim was to evaluate the impact of intermittent fasting (IF) on human body mass index (BMI) and serum lipid profile thorough constructive rectification of gut microbiota.Methods and resultsFourteen healthy women and thirty-one men were included in the study. Their blood and fecal samples were collected before and at the end of the study. Blood parameters, anthropometric values, and gut microbiology were noted to investigate the impact of intermittent fasting (IF) on human gut microbiota and physiology. Our data revealed that IF reduces the body weight and improves blood lipid profile, such as increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low- and very low-density lipoprotein levels. IF also decreases culturable aerobic bacterial count and increased fungal count. It was also found that the gut metagenome is altered considerably after IF. The human fecal bacterial diversity exhibited significant changes in decreased overall bacterial population, increased bacterial diversity (alpha diversity), and promoted evenness within the bacterial population at the species level. Anti-inflammatory bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were favorably increased, while pathogenic bacteria were decreased.ConclusionCollectively, these results indicated that IF could improve lipid profile and body weight in humans, and the potential mechanisms might be via regulating gut microbiota.Significance and impact of the studyWe demonstrated for the first time that IF improved body weight and blood lipid profile, indicating that IF could mitigate gut microbiota in humans.

The impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota: a systematic review of human studies

“…In a study by Domaszewski et al ( 43 ) it was seen that TRF may have gender-related effects on body composition and that gender differences could be driven by sex specific differences in insulin and adrenaline secretion after fasting. A recent study by Khan et al ( 7 ) evaluated the impact of TRF on BMI and gut microbiota outcomes in groups of overweight/obese, normal weight and underweight males and females. Interestingly, female subjects who were underweight gained weight during TRF intervention, showing for the first time that IF regimen could potentially normalize body weight.…”

“…One is a study by Chen et al ( 47 ), which is continuation to the study by Ali et al ( 29 ) and focuses on analyzing fecal metabolites. The second new study is the TRF study by Khan et al ( 7 ), which was briefly referenced in the introduction and the discussion.…”

Chronomedicine Insights: Evaluating the Impact of Time-Restricted Meal Intake on Lipid Profile Parameters Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in Northern India

“…Additionally, VLDL decreased from 21 to 19 mg/dl and from 19 to 18 mg/dl. Conversely, total HDL increased from 27 to 28 mg/dl and from 28 to 31 mg/dl for both female and male samples, respectively [ 39 ]. These results corroborate the findings observed in the TRM group of our study as in our study TC decreased from 168 to 144.2 mg/dl, TG decreased from 145.4 to 109.4 mg/dl, LDL decreased from 68.2 to 62.32 mg/dl in the TRM group with minimal change in the control group.…”

Contribution of the microbiome for better phenotyping of people living with obesity

“…Of note, the beneficial effects of Mediterranean dietary habits seem independent by caloric intake [ 266 ]. Beneficial effects on gut microbiota have been also reported following intermittent fasting, a dietary regimen linked with weight loss and beneficial metabolic effects (i.e., improved glycemic control) [ 267 ], increased bacterial alpha diversity, increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and decreased pathogenic bacteria [ 268 ]. During Ramadan (a popular example of intermittent fasting), increased proportion of A. muciniphila , F. prausnitzii and Roseburia have been reported [ 269 , 270 ].…”