Abstract
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular method of weight loss, as an alternative to daily caloric restriction (DCR). Several forms of IF exist, such as alternate-day fasting or time-restricted feeding regimens. Some of its proponents claim several health benefits unrelated to caloric restriction or weight loss, which rely mainly on animal models. Although several studies published in the last few years confirm that IF can be a useful and safe therapeutical option for obesity and related disorders, no superiority to conventional caloric restriction diets have emerged. There are still several questions left answered. In this Review, we discuss some of the claims, unveiling myths, facts, and presumptions about several models of IF. The focus of this article is obesity, but there is a brief discussion of the potential benefits of IF on overall human health.
Highlights
Intermittent fasting (IF) has received great interest from the general public, as an alternative to the traditional daily energy restriction model, for the treatment of obesity and related disorders, and as an anti-aging method increasing longevity [1,2,3]
This present Review aims to give a perspective of the evidence regarding intermittent fasting in humans, especially in the setting of metabolic diseases
Most of the proposed direct mechanisms of intermittent fasting in diseases come from animal models, in which caloric restriction has been extensively associated with increased survival in many species
Summary
Intermittent fasting (IF) has received great interest from the general public, as an alternative to the traditional daily energy restriction model, for the treatment of obesity and related disorders, and as an anti-aging method increasing longevity [1,2,3]. In many of the cited articles, it is difficult to differentiate whether the effect of IF is a consequence of weight loss, caloric restriction, the fasting itself, or the interaction of these factors. This present Review aims to give a perspective of the evidence regarding intermittent fasting in humans, especially in the setting of metabolic diseases. Circadian rhythms should be taken into account, as similar feeding windows in different periods of the day could have a different cardiometabolic impact [5,6,7]
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