Alternateday fasting versus daily calorie restriction for weight loss and cardio‐protection (120.6)

Abstract

Background: Alternate‐day fasting (ADF) has been shown to reduce body weight and improve coronary heart disease (CHD) risk parameters in overweight and obese humans. Whether ADF produces greater improvements in these parameters compared to traditional calorie restriction (CR) remains unknown.Methods: Overweight and obese subjects (n = 25) were randomized to 1 of 3 groups for 24 weeks: 1) ADF (feed day: 125% of energy needs, alternated with a fast day: 25% of energy needs; all meals provided); 2) CR (75% of energy needs every day; all meals provided); 3) Control (100% of energy needs every day; self‐selected diet).Results: ADF and CR resulted in similar (p > 0.05 relative to each other) reductions in body weight 8.3 ± 1.5% and 7.2 ± 1.2%, respectively; both p < 0.02 relative to control), fat mass (14.0 ± 2.2% and 15.2 ± 1.8%, respectively; both p < 0.02 relative to control), and visceral fat (0.51 ± 0.11 kg and 0.38 ± 0.12 kg, respectively; both p < 0.01 relative to control). Fat‐free mass did not change in any group (p > 0.05). Plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, C‐reactive protein, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change in either intervention group relative to the control group (p > 0.05 for each) over the 24‐week trial.Conclusion: ADF and CR produce similar weight loss, and neither diet appears to modulate CHD risk. These findings are limited by small sample size, however, and warrant further investigation.