Benefits of Intermittent Fasting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials [post]

Kavisha Abeyasekera
2020 unpublished
Daily calorie restriction regimens are still the most common diet strategies implemented for weight loss. [2, 3] In the recent years, intermittent fasting (IMF) has gained popularity among some of the easier diets to follow. [4] Objective: The objective of this study is to use the available data on short-and long-term effects of intermittent fasting, either by time restricted feeding or alternate day fasting and help healthcare providers decide on which patients should be recommended IMF as a
more » ... etary option. Study design: Searched Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases for evidence-based literature on intermittent fasting. Included studies: non-religious intermittent fasting for the purpose of health benefits. Excluded studies: intermittent fasting for religious reasons. Outcomes measured include systolic BP, weight loss, insulin resistance, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammatory markers. Targeted audience: healthcare providers. Results: Results from adult human randomized controlled trials show individuals who did short term IMF had a drop in SBP by 9.67 ± 1mmHg (p<0.001), weight loss by 5.6 ± 1 kg (95% CI: -7.4, -3.4), decrease in insulin resistance by 36 ± 10 U/mg (p=0.005), drop in LDL levels by 28± 7 mg/dL (p<0.0001) drop in triglyceride levels by 15 ± 1 mg/dL (p<0.001), drop in total cholesterol levels by 31 ± 2 mg/dL (p<0.0001), drop in CRP levels by 1 mg/L (p=0.01) and an increase in plasma adiponectin by 672 ± 1191 ng/mL compared to the control group. Results from adult human randomized controlled trials show individuals who did long term IMF had a drop in SBP by 7 ± 2mm Hg (p<0.05), weight loss by 5.2% [95% CI, -7.6% to -3.0%], drop in HA1C by 0.7 ±1% (p<0.05), drop in LDL by 6 ± 1 mg/dL (p<0.588), increase of 6.2mg/dL [95%
doi:10.33015/dominican.edu/2020.pas.12 fatcat:fkfwx3plhnbpzd4ehal6hrxwve