The Safety and Efficacy of Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) diets have recently gained popularity as a weight loss and antiaging method that attracts celebrity endorsements and public interest. Despite the growing use of IF, the debate over its safety and efficacy is still ongoing. Defined IF regimens include 5 different types: alternate-day fasting, periodic fasting, time-restricted feeding, less clearly defined IF (fast mimicking diet, juice fasting), and religious fasts. Our literature review highlights the effect of IF essentially on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Intermittent fasting may be effective for weight loss and may improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, although the long-term sustainability of these effects has not been studied. While data on the safety of IF are sparse, the most frequent adverse effects (hunger, irritability, and impaired cognition) may dissipate within a month of the fasting period. Intermittent fasting is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, children or adolescents during maturation, the elderly or underweight people, and individuals vulnerable to eating disorders.

6-week time-restricted eating improves body composition, maintains exercise performance, without exacerbating eating disorder in female DanceSport dancers

“…This study was designed for DanceSport dancers with the original aim of improving their physical and mental health, which is often exacerbated by unhealthy eating habits, such as restricted food intake or binge eating behavior, owing to their high requirement for body shape and weight. Despite numerous studies proving the efficacy of TRE in athletic groups or exercise performance [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 33 , 42 , 48 ], a clear prevalence of ED among female dancers has been reported in previous studies [ 49 , 50 ]. Therefore, the EAT-26 was administered in this study before and after the 6-week TRE intervention to address psychological safety and ensure that this eating strategy would not mask any risky behaviors.…”

The Complicated Relationship between Dieting, Dietary Restraint, Caloric Restriction, and Eating Disorders: Is a Shift in Public Health Messaging Warranted?

“…Additionally, it is possible that extreme forms of dietary restriction, e.g., chronic fasting, especially in young people, may be more harmful than the types of dietary restraint and evidence-based ILI-guided caloric reduction that have been studied in recent years. However, this possibility has been questioned by findings of the relative safety and beneficial effects of intermittent fasting [ 103 ]. That said, at this time, intermittent fasting is not recommended for children or adolescents, the elderly, underweight individuals, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals vulnerable to eating disorders [ 103 ].…”

“…However, this possibility has been questioned by findings of the relative safety and beneficial effects of intermittent fasting [ 103 ]. That said, at this time, intermittent fasting is not recommended for children or adolescents, the elderly, underweight individuals, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals vulnerable to eating disorders [ 103 ].…”

Therapeutic Potential of Various Intermittent Fasting Regimens in Alleviating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes: A Comprehensive Review

“…Timerestricted feeding (TRF) is an IF protocol with a specified time of prolonged fasting practiced by adhering to 16 hours of abstinence from food and 8 hours of food intake within 24 hours [6]. IF has gained popularity in body weight management and alleviating metabolic-related disorders [18,19]. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively synthesize existing knowledge on the therapeutic effects of intermittent fasting on the management of T2DM and prediabetes, providing a critical overview of its current state of understanding.…”