Influence of Intermittent Fasting on Health Outcomes

Data analysis reveals that intermittent fasting has positive health outcomes ranging from weight loss to elimination of metabolic stress. 

Intermittent fasting has steadily gained interest over the years as a weight-loss approach. It is defined by an unusual diet strategy that defines periods of eating. Intermittent fasting works via a metabolic switch. Metabolic switch refers to the alternation of the metabolism of the liver. During this period of metabolic control, the body alternates from derived glucose to the ketones derived from the fatty cells during fasting periods. The practice of fasting promotes proper cellular response such as better glucose regulation, enhanced fight against stress, elimination of inflammation, and elimination of damaged molecules to increase defense against metabolic stress. However, the benefits of intermittent fasting have been underrated; numerous analyses have revealed that intermittent fasting has multiple health benefits. This study has conducted different tests to prove the relationship between health outcomes and intermittent fasting.  

The reviews used in this article were searched from reviews obtained from the database since January 2021. Data analysis was done between the period of April and June 2021. Data were classified based on population, interventions made, and comparisons to develop a list of unique relationships with intermittent fasting. The researchers recalculated the effects sizes of the data to obtain Mean Differences corresponding to 95% of CI. The DerSimonian and Laird Random-effect model obtained this recalculation and Mean Differences. In these two side tests, p<.05 was considered statistically significant. The researchers utilized the Egger regression test to assess minute study effects. The quality of each piece of evidence was assessed independently by two researchers. The researchers carried out a sensitive analysis leaving out studies with a relatively higher risk of bias. The high risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The report considers the RCT investigation on the impacts of intermittent fasting on adults. This article’s scopes of intermittent fasting data were recalculated using the random-effect model. A graded criterion was applied in this study to assess the quality of evidence used herein. The appraisal of 11 meta-analyses of random clinical trials revealed six statistically significant relationships between intermittent fasting and health outcomes. This revelation is supported by both high and moderate evidence to justify its credibility. Minimum fall in body weight and reduction in body mass index are among the outcomes associated with the adults who had obesity.  

Eleven meta-analyses were part of the description of the 104 exclusive relationships of different samples of intermittent fasting. This analysis included 130 RCTs (median) with a sample size of 38 participants aged between 24 and 69. The median (IQ) follow-up period was between three to five months. In the findings, 28 statistically significant relationships were discovered. This number translates into 27%, which indicates the benefit of reducing body weight, fat mass, mass index, fasting insulin, reduced density in lipoprotein, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, model evaluation of resistance to insulin. One percent was supported by high-quality evidence, which involved alternating two months. This observation was related to decreased body mass index among healthy adults and adults who had obesity or non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases contrasted against a regular diet. Moderate quality evidence significantly supported six associations. This support for the six groups translates into 6%. However, the remainder of the associations were sustained by relatively low relations.  

Under this umbrella, the beneficial relationship of intermittent fasting with anthropometric and cardiometabolic results is significantly sustained by medium to high value proof. This benefit is even more when there is an alternated day fasting, which has health benefits such as weight loss for overweight adults. However, intensive clinical trials need to be conducted along with long-term follow-up. The immediate follow-up will be significant in finding out the effects of intermittent fasting on clinical results like cardiovascular events and death. An advanced clinical test should be carried out to ascertain the effects of intermittent fasting on clinical results like cardiovascular events and mortality. These clinical trials should be accompanied by a follow-up over a relatively long period. In a nutshell, intermittent fasting has beneficial outcomes, as discussed above. This claim has been supported by statistically significant evidence that makes a claim genuine. However, a window is left for more trials to establish the effectiveness of intermittent fasting.  

Practice Pearls 

• Intermittent fasting helps reduce insulin resistance, lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 
• Intermittent fasting can suppress oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. 
• Intermittent fasting reduces body mass and induces several cellular repair processes. 

Patikorn C, Roubal K, Veettil SK, et al. Intermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2139558. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.39558 

Njideka Aginam, PharmD Candidate, South College School of Pharmacy