Alternate day fasting combined with exercise: An effective treatment for weight loss and cardio‐protection in obese humans

Abstract

BackgroundThe effect of alternate day fasting (ADF) combined with endurance exercise (Ex) on body weight, body composition, and lipid levels, has never been tested.ObjectiveThus, this study examined whether the combination of ADF plus exercise produces greater changes in the above‐mentioned variables, when compared to each treatment alone.MethodsSixty‐four obese subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: 1) ADF+Ex, 2) ADF, 3) Ex, or 4) control, for 12 weeks.ResultsBody weight was reduced (P < 0.05) by 7.1 ± 1.0%, 5.8 ± 1.0% and 1.4 ± 0.5% in the ADF+Ex, ADF and Ex group, respectively. Fat mass decreased (6.3 ± 1.5%, P = 0.001) and fat free mass increased (6.7 ± 2.3%, P = 0.015) in the ADF‐Ex group only. Waist circumference was reduced (P < 0.001) in all the intervention groups. LDL cholesterol decreased (7.0 ± 8.0%, P = 0.04) while HDL cholesterol increased (12.0 ± 10%, P = 0.04) in the ADF‐Ex group only.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the combination of ADF plus exercise is the most effective treatment in reducing body weight, and improving body composition and plasma lipids, when compared to each intervention alone. This project was funded by The American Heart Association.