The alternate-day fasting diet is a more effective approach than a calorie restriction diet on weight loss and hs-CRP levels

Abstract

Abstract. Background and Objective: The aim of present study was to compare, and determine, the effects of a modified alternate-day fasting diet vs. calorie restriction on inflammatory indices and coagulation factors. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial consisting of 80 metabolic syndrome patients, who were enrolled and randomly dichotomized into a modified alternate-day fasting diet or calorie restriction group for 4 months. We measured weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumstance (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and fat mass as primary outcomes and assessed high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and coagulation factors levels as secondary outcomes before and after intervention. Results: Compared to the calorie restriction diet, following a modified alternate-day fasting diet led to a greater reduction in body weight (kg) (–6.43 ± 4.34 vs –4.11 ± 4.27; P = 0.02), BMI (kg/m2) (–3.19 ± 2.90 vs –1.43 ± 2.72; P = 0.01), fat mass (kg) (–4.88 ± 2.09 vs –3.72 ± 2.43; P = 0.03), WC (cm) (–5.57 ± 5.64 vs –2.32 ± 5.95; P = 0.01) and WHR (–0.05 ± 0.06 vs –0.02 ± 0.07; P = 0.04). Furthermore, a greater change was found in hs-CRP levels (mg/L) (–2.06 ± 1.18 vs –0.97 ± 0.82; P = 0.03), prothrombin time (s) (1.41 ± 2.34 vs –0.41 ± 2.17; P < 0.001), activated partial thromboplastin time (s) (0.26 ± 3.70 vs –1.78 ± 3.56; P = 0.04) in modified alternate-day fasting diet when compared to calorie restriction diet. However, there was no difference in TNF-α or IL-6 and fibrinogen between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a modified alternate-day fasting diet can be a beneficial alternative for the management of body weight, fat mass and WC as well as hs-CRP and coagulation factors levels among metabolic syndrome patients.

Effects of Intermittent Fasting in Human Compared to a Non-intervention Diet and Caloric Restriction: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Unfortunately, due to the limited number of studies, we were unable to conduct a comparative analysis between daily TRF and CR or a non-intervention diet. In contrast, the feeding window of the non-fasting period for weekly TRF and ADF was not addressed in the viewed RCTs ( 45 , 75 ), so it was unknown whether circadian rhythms play a role in these two patterns of IF. An irregular and inappropriate diet might lead to metabolic disorders and other adverse consequences ( 73 ).…”

The Gut Microbiota during a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

“…This is the first study to examine gut microbiota during a lifestyle weight loss intervention of DCR versus IMF as well as the largest human study to date of the gut microbiota and IMF. Studies of IMF have documented that there may be enhanced health benefits relative to DCR for many measures related to cardiometabolic health, including body composition, resting energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity and inflammation [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. We examined whether changes in gut microbiota differed between the two intervention arms, and we did not see significant differences between DCR and IMF in terms of how the overall gut microbiota changed over time (alpha- and beta-diversity).…”

Effect of Different Types of Intermittent Fasting on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters among Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)—A Systematic Review

“…Parvaresh et al [ 35 ], in their study among individuals with metabolic syndrome, demonstrated that ADMF may be more effective in controlling body weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose, compared with common calorie restriction. In another study, by Razavi et al, also conducted in patients with metabolic syndrome, found that ADMF was more effective in reducing body weight, fat mass, waist circumference and waist:hip ratio compared with common calorie restriction [ 36 ]. A meta-analysis by Park et al including studies using ADM or ADMF showed that this type of intermittent fasting was effective in reducing body weight, BMI and fat mass over 6 months in overweight individuals [ 37 ].…”

“…Therefore, an important element of the therapy is its reduction [ 12 ]. Razavi et al also reported ADMF to be more effective in reducing hs-CRP levels [ 36 ]. Aliasghari et al (4 weeks of Ramadan) [ 19 ] and Mari et al (4 weeks of Ramadan) [ 25 ] also reported statistically significant decreases in hs-CRP levels in their study.…”