Intermittent fasting strategies and their effects on body weight and other cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.
AI Summary
This systematic review and network meta-analysis examined intermittent fasting strategies compared to continuous energy restriction and unrestricted diets for cardiometabolic health outcomes. The researchers analyzed randomized clinical trials from multiple databases through November 2024, focusing on various intermittent fasting approaches including alternate day fasting, time-restricted eating, and whole day fasting. The study suggests that intermittent fasting diets demonstrate similar benefits to continuous energy restriction for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors. The analysis found minor differences between some intermittent fasting approaches and continuous energy restriction, with some indication of weight loss benefits from alternate day fasting in shorter duration trials. However, the researchers noted that longer duration trials are needed to further substantiate these findings. For individuals following structured nutrition protocols, this suggests that intermittent fasting may be an effective alternative to traditional calorie restriction approaches, though the evidence indicates comparable rather than superior outcomes for most cardiometabolic markers.
Key Findings
- Intermittent fasting diets showed similar benefits to continuous energy restriction for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors
- Minor differences were noted between some intermittent fasting diets and continuous energy restriction
- Alternate day fasting showed some benefit for weight loss in shorter duration trials
- Longer duration trials are needed to further substantiate the findings
Abstract
To assess the effect of intermittent fasting diets, with continuous energy restriction or unrestricted (ad-libitum) diets on intermediate cardiometabolic outcomes from randomised clinical trials. Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medline, Embase, and central databases from inception to 14 November 2024. Randomised clinical trials comparing the association of intermittent fasting diets (alternate day fasting, time restricted eating, and whole day fasting), continuous energy restriction, and ad-libitum diets were included. Outcomes included body weight (primary) and measures of anthropometry, glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and markers of liver disease. A network meta-analysis based on a frequentist framework was performed with data expressed as mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The certainty of the evidence was assessed using grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE). Minor differences were noted between some intermittent fasting diets and continuous energy restriction, with some benefit of weight loss with alternate day fasting in shorter duration trials. The current evidence provides some indication that intermittent fasting diets have similar benefits to continuous energy restriction for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors. Longer duration trials are needed to further substantiate these findings. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05309057.
Authors
Zhila Semnani-Azad, Tauseef A Khan, Laura Chiavaroli, Victoria Chen, Hardil Anup Bhatt, Alisia Chen, Nicholas Chiang, Julianah Oguntala, Stefan Kabisch, David Cw Lau, Sean Wharton, Arya M Sharma, Leanne Harris, Lawrence A Leiter, James O Hill, Frank B Hu, Michael Ej Lean, Hana Kahleová, Dario Rahelic, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Cyril Wc Kendall, John L Sievenpiper