Tag

Intermittent Fasting

All articles tagged with #intermittent fasting

Big Review Finds Short-Term Fasting Leaves Brainpower Largely Unchanged
science3 days ago

Big Review Finds Short-Term Fasting Leaves Brainpower Largely Unchanged

An analysis of 63 studies (3,484 participants) found no meaningful difference in cognitive performance between short-term fasters and those who eat regularly, with median fasting around 12 hours. Some modest declines appear when fasting exceeds 12 hours and in children/teens, especially on food-related tasks; neutral tasks are largely unaffected and performance may dip later in the day during fasting. The authors frame fasting as a personal tool, not a universal prescription, recommending medical guidance for individuals considering fasting.

Start Small, Stay Flexible: Practical Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss
health3 days ago

Start Small, Stay Flexible: Practical Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

Intermittent fasting can aid weight loss for some people, but it’s not universal. Start with shorter windows (like 12:12) and increase gradually, focus on timing rather than deprivation, and prioritize high‑quality foods. Be mindful of overeating during eating periods, and recognize that women may need shorter fasting windows. IF isn’t recommended for children, pregnant/breastfeeding individuals, or certain medical conditions without medical supervision, and sustainability and personalization are key for long-term success.

Refeeding drives longevity boost in intermittent fasting, worm study finds
science1 month ago

Refeeding drives longevity boost in intermittent fasting, worm study finds

UT Southwestern researchers show that the longevity benefits of intermittent fasting in C. elegans stem from how metabolism resets during the refeeding phase, not the fast itself. A lipid‑burning switch controlled by NHR-49 is turned off after feeding resumes; when this shutdown is blocked, the lifespan extension vanishes. Short fasting cycles extended lifespan in worms by more than 60%, suggesting that targeting the refeeding metabolic transition could mimic fasting benefits in humans.

Heart-Health Scientist Tests 3 Eating Tweaks to Boost Metabolic Health
health1 month ago

Heart-Health Scientist Tests 3 Eating Tweaks to Boost Metabolic Health

Nutrition scientist Sarah Berry is testing three eating tweaks—no food after 9 p.m., a 12-hour overnight fast (9 p.m.–9 a.m.), and slower, more deliberate eating—to explore how meal timing and pace influence heart and metabolic health. Early daytime eating is linked to lower LDL cholesterol, lower fasting glucose, and better insulin sensitivity, while late meals may disrupt circadian rhythms and raise chronic-disease risk. Evidence for longer fasts is largely from animal studies, and strict eating rules can be risky for those with disordered eating.

Fasting for weight loss: what the evidence really shows
health2 months ago

Fasting for weight loss: what the evidence really shows

Intermittent fasting (time-restricted eating and plans like 5:2) can reduce daily calories by about 200–500 kcal, which supports weight loss and may improve insulin sensitivity and brain fuel via ketones. Some evidence hints at diabetes remission in type 2 diabetes under fasting regimens, and longer fasts under medical supervision may reduce inflammation and boost metabolic resilience, but long-term safety remains uncertain. The benefits largely derive from calorie reduction rather than a magic effect of fasting; eight-hour windows simply make calorie restriction easier. Downsides include headaches, fatigue, sleep disruption, potential loss of fat-free mass if exercise is skipped, and risks for those with eating disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding, or diabetes without supervision. There is no conclusive evidence that fasting extends lifespan, and a one-size-fits-all approach does not apply.

The 3-Hour Night Window: Stopping Eating Before Bed May Aid Heart Health
health2 months ago

The 3-Hour Night Window: Stopping Eating Before Bed May Aid Heart Health

A study of 39 adults found that extending overnight fasting to 13–16 hours (vs. 11–13) lowered nighttime blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol, and improved daytime insulin response. Because melatonin begins rising about three hours before bed, stopping eating three hours prior supports the body’s nightly wind-down and may reduce weight gain, cardiovascular risk, and sleep disruption. The article suggests making lunch the biggest meal (12–2 pm) to create a three-hour buffer before a 9–10 pm bedtime; if eating before bed is necessary for blood sugar stability or athletic recovery, opts for a light snack with lean protein and fiber-rich carbohydrates (e.g., cottage cheese with berries and nuts).

New Evidence Casts Doubt on Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss
health3 months ago

New Evidence Casts Doubt on Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

A Cochrane Library review of 22 randomized trials involving nearly 2,000 overweight or obese participants found intermittent fasting provides little to no additional weight loss or quality-of-life benefit compared with standard dietary advice or no intervention. The evidence is of limited quality, and while fasting did not show significantly more adverse events, it did not outperform doing nothing for most people.

Intermittent fasting falls short for weight loss, new review says
health3 months ago

Intermittent fasting falls short for weight loss, new review says

A Cochrane review of 22 randomized trials involving about 2,000 adults found intermittent fasting produced little to no meaningful weight loss compared with standard dieting or no intervention, with results barely better than doing nothing. Most studies lasted up to 12 months and participants were largely White adults from high-income countries, limiting generalizability. Experts say long-term sustainability matters and advise a case-by-case approach, often favoring balanced, sustainable diets like the Mediterranean or DASH; intermittent fasting may help some people (e.g., for blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes) but is not universally superior for weight loss.

Fasting pioneer’s regimen under scrutiny: how the 5:2 reshaped weight loss and diabetes talks
life-and-style-health-and-fitness3 months ago

Fasting pioneer’s regimen under scrutiny: how the 5:2 reshaped weight loss and diabetes talks

A major review finds intermittent fasting is not superior to conventional calorie restriction for weight loss, yet the piece highlights the real-world impact of the 5:2 regimen, its origins with Dr. Michael Mosley, its potential to reverse type 2 diabetes, and why many people find fasting more doable than daily calorie cutting.

Large review questions intermittent fasting as a weight-loss boost
health3 months ago

Large review questions intermittent fasting as a weight-loss boost

A Cochrane review of 22 studies involving nearly 2,000 adults finds short-term intermittent fasting (up to 12 months) makes little to no difference in weight loss or quality of life compared with standard dieting or no advice, though it may offer other health benefits that require more evidence. Individual responses vary, and more robust, diverse research is needed to draw firmer conclusions.

Intermittent fasting fails to outperform standard diets, major review finds
health3 months ago

Intermittent fasting fails to outperform standard diets, major review finds

A Cochrane review of 22 randomized trials (1,995 adults) finds intermittent fasting produces about 3% body-weight loss over up to 12 months, roughly on par with traditional dietary advice and far below a 5% clinically meaningful target, with little evidence of quality-of-life gains; overall evidence quality is variable, so fasting should be viewed as one option among several, not a miracle solution.

Fasting Generally Doesn’t Impair Adults’ Thinking, Large Review Finds
science3 months ago

Fasting Generally Doesn’t Impair Adults’ Thinking, Large Review Finds

A sweeping meta-analysis of 63 studies (3,484 participants) finds no meaningful difference in cognitive performance between fasted and fed healthy adults. Age matters (children fare worse when fasting); longer fasts may lessen performance gaps as ketones supply energy; testing later in the day and the presence of food cues can influence results; and the type of cognitive task matters. Overall, fasting appears compatible with maintained mental sharpness in adults, with caveats for kids and certain contexts, while metabolic benefits like autophagy and improved insulin sensitivity are noted but vary by individual.