Alternate day fasting with a high fat diet: Impact on body weight, body composition, and coronary heart disease risk profile in obese adults

Abstract

BackgroundAlternate day fasting (ADF) with a low‐fat (LF) diet is effective for weight loss and cardio‐protection. However, the applicability of these findings is questionable as most Americans consume a high‐fat (HF) diet. This study examined if these beneficial changes in weight and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk can be reproduced if a HF diet is used in place of a LF diet during ADF.MethodsThirty‐two obese subjects were randomized to an ADF‐HF (45% fat) or ADF‐LF diet (25% fat), which consisted of two phases: 1) a 2‐week baseline weight maintenance period, and 2) an 8‐week ADF weight loss period. All food was provided to subjects.ResultsBody weight was reduced (P < 0.0001) by ADF‐HF (5 ± 1%) and by ADF‐LF (4 ± 1%). Fat mass decreased (P < 0.0001) by ADF‐HF (5 ± 1 kg) and ADF‐LF (4 ± 1 kg). Fat free mass remained unchanged. Waist circumference decreased (P < 0.001) by ADF‐HF (7 ( 1 cm) and ADF‐LF (7 ( 1 cm). LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were reduced (P < 0.01) by both interventions (ADF‐HF: 18 ( 5%, 14 ( 5%; ADF‐LF: 24 ( 3%, 14 ( 4%). The proportion of small LDL particles decreased (P < 0.05) in the ADF‐HF and ADF‐LF groups by 8 ( 3% and 10 ( 4%.ConclusionThus, an ADF‐HF diet produces similar reductions in weight and CHD risk as an ADF‐LF diet. These findings are important in terms of diet tolerability and long‐term adherence to ADF diets.