Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women Lack of suppression of circulating free fatty acids and hypercholesterolemia during weight loss on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Improvement in coronary heart disease risk factors during an intermittent fasting/calorie restriction regimen: Relationship to adipokine modulations Avoiding holiday seasonal weight gain with nutrient-supported intermittent energy restriction: a pilot study Effects of lowering fat and increasing dietary fiber on fasting and postprandial plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet. Long-term (1- and 2-year) effects of lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes relatives. A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness and Adherence of Modified Alternate-day Calorie Restriction in Improving Activity of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease A nonrandomized controlled clinical pilot trial on 8 wk of intermittent fasting (24 h/wk). Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease Long-Term Comparison of Three Dietary Prescriptions in the Treatment of NIDDM Comparative effects of three popular diets on lipids, endothelial function, and C-reactive protein during weight maintenance. Impact of intensified dietary therapy on energy and nutrient intakes and fatty acid composition of serum lipids in patients with recently diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Randomized Controlled Trial on Lifestyle Modification in Hypertensive Patients Impact of Periodic Follow-Up Testing Among Urban American Indian Women With Impaired Fasting Glucose Effect of dietary patterns differing in carbohydrate and fat content on blood lipid and glucose profiles based on weight-loss success of breast-cancer survivors Weight loss due to energy restriction suppresses cholesterol biosynthesis in overweight, mildly hypercholesterolemic men. Effect of Low-Energy-Dense Diet Rich in Multiple Functional Foods on Weight-Loss Maintenance, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Intermittent fasting ( IF ; severe restriction 1 d/week ) facilitates weight loss and improves coronary heart disease ( CHD ) risk indicators . The degree to which weight loss can be enhanced if IF is combined with calorie restriction ( CR ) and liquid meals , remains unknown . Objective This study examined the effects of IF plus CR ( with or without a liquid diet ) on body weight , body composition , and CHD risk . Methods Obese women ( n = 54 ) were r and omized to either the IFCR-liquid ( IFCR-L ) or IFCR-food based ( IFCR-F ) diet . The trial had two phases : 1 ) 2-week weight maintenance period , and 2 ) 8-week weight loss period . Results Body weight decreased more ( P = 0.04 ) in the IFCR-L group ( 3.9 ± 1.4 kg ) versus the IFCR-F group ( 2.5 ± 0.6 kg ) . Fat mass decreased similarly ( P < 0.0001 ) in the IFCR-L and IFCR-F groups ( 2.8 ± 1.2 kg and 1.9 ± 0.7 kg , respectively ) . Visceral fat was reduced ( P < 0.001 ) by IFCR-L ( 0.7 ± 0.5 kg ) and IFCR-F ( 0.3 ± 0.5 kg ) diets . Reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels were greater ( P = 0.04 ) in the IFCR-L ( 19 ± 10 % ; 20 ± 9 % , respectively ) versus the IFCR-F group ( 8 ± 3 % ; 7 ± 4 % , respectively ) . LDL peak particle size increased ( P < 0.01 ) , while heart rate , glucose , insulin , and homocysteine decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , in the IFCR-L group only . Conclusion These findings suggest that IF combined with CR and liquid meals is an effective strategy to help obese women lose weight and lower CHD risk BACKGROUND Little is known about the comparative effect of weight-loss diets on metabolic profiles during dieting . OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet ( < or = 20 g/d ) with a high-carbohydrate diet ( 55 % of total energy intake ) on fasting and hourly metabolic variables during active weight loss . DESIGN Healthy , obese adults ( n = 32 ; 22 women , 10 men ) were r and omly assigned to receive either a carbohydrate-restricted diet [ High Fat ; mean + /- SD body mass index ( BMI ; in kg/m(2 ) ) : 35.8 + /- 2.9 ] or a calorie-restricted , low-fat diet ( High Carb ; BMI : 36.7 + /- 4.6 ) for 6 wk . A 24-h in-patient feeding study was performed at baseline and after 6 wk .  Glucose , insulin , free fatty acids ( FFAs ) , and triglycerides  were measured hourly during meals , at regimented times . Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol was measured every 4 h. RESULTS Patients lost a similar amount of weight in both groups ( P = 0.57 ) . There was an absence of any diet treatment effect between groups on fasting triglycerides or on remnant lipoprotein cholesterol , which was the main outcome . Fasting insulin decreased ( P = 0.03 ) , and both fasting ( P = 0.040 ) and 24-h FFAs ( P < 0.0001 ) increased within the High Fat group . Twenty-four-hour insulin decreased ( P < 0.05 for both groups ) . Fasting LDL cholesterol decreased in the High Carb group only ( P = 0.003 ) . In both groups , the differences in fasting and 24-h FFAs at 6 wk were significantly correlated with the change in LDL cholesterol ( fasting FFA : r = 0.41 , P = 0.02 ; 24-h FFA : r = 0.52 , P = 0.002 ) . CONCLUSIONS Weight loss was similar between diets , but only the high-fat diet increased LDL-cholesterol concentrations . This effect was related to the lack of suppression of both fasting and 24-h FFAs Background The ability of an intermittent fasting (IF)-calorie restriction ( CR ) regimen ( with or without liquid meals ) to modulate adipokines in a way that is protective against coronary heart disease ( CHD ) has yet to be tested . Objective Accordingly , we examined the effects of an IFCR diet on adipokine profile , body composition , and markers of CHD risk  in obese women . Methods Subjects ( n = 54 ) were r and omized to either the IFCR-liquid ( IFCR-L ) or IFCR-food based ( IFCR-F ) diet for 10 weeks . Results Greater decreases in body weight and waist circumference were noted in the IFCR-L group ( 4 ± 1 kg ; 6 ± 1 cm ) versus the IFCR-F group ( 3 ± 1 kg ; 4 ± 1 cm ) . Similar reductions ( P < 0.0001 ) in fat mass were demonstrated in the IFCR-L ( 3 ± 1 kg ) and IFCR-F group ( 2 ± 1 kg ) . Reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels were greater ( P = 0.04 ) in the IFCR-L ( 19 ± 10 % ; 20 ± 9 % , respectively ) versus the IFCR-F group ( 8 ± 3 % ; 7 ± 4 % , respectively ) . LDL peak particle size increased ( P < 0.01 ) in the IFCR-L group only . The proportion of small LDL particles decreased ( P < 0.01 ) in both groups . Adipokines , such as leptin , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) , and insulin-like growth factor-1 ( IGF-1 ) decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , in the IFCR-L group only . Conclusion These findings suggest that IFCR with a liquid diet favorably modulates visceral fat and adipokines in a way that may confer protection against CHD This pilot r and omised controlled study evaluated the effects of a nutrient-supported intermittent energy restriction nutrition programme to prevent weight gain in healthy overweight adults during the 6-week winter holiday period between Thanksgiving and New Year . For 52 d , twenty-two overweight adults ( mean age 41·0 years , BMI 27·3 kg/m2 ) were assigned to either the nutrition programme ( n 10 ; two fasting days of 730 kcal/d ( 3050 kJ/d ) of balanced shake and dietary supplements to support weight management efforts , followed by 5 d of habitual diet ) or a control group ( n 12 ; habitual diet ) . A significant weight loss from baseline ( pre-holiday 10 d before Thanksgiving ) to day 52 ( post-holiday 3 January ) was observed in the nutrition programme ( 75·0 ( sd 9·8 ) v. 76·3 ( sd 9·8 ) kg ; P < 0·05 ) . Body weight did not significantly change in the control group and there was no between-group difference . Increases from baseline in fasting insulin ( 42·9 % ; P = 0·0256 ) , up date d homoeostasis model assessment ( HOMA2 ) ( 43 % ; P = 0·025 ) , LDL-cholesterol ( 8·4 % ; P = 0·0426 ) and total cholesterol ( 7·1 % ; P = 0·0154 ) levels were also reported in the control group . In the nutrition programme group , baseline HDL-cholesterol and TAG levels measured after two fasting days increased ( 13 % ; P = 0·0245 ) and decreased ( 22·8 % ; P = 0·0416 ) , respectively . There was no significant change in HOMA2 . Between-group differences in changes in insulin levels ( P = 0·0227 ) , total cholesterol : HDL-cholesterol ratio ( P = 0·0419 ) and HOMA2 ( P = 0·0210 ) were significant . Overall compliance rate was 98 % and no severe adverse events were reported . These preliminary findings suggest that this intermittent energy restriction intervention might support weight management efforts and help promote metabolic health during the winter holiday season The aim of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of reducing fat and increasing or not increasing dietary fiber in subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet . Thirty-one free-living , mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were r and omly allocated to two groups . Subjects in both groups first shifted for 4 wk to a low-fat , low-fiber diet ( LFLFD ) . For an additional 4-wk period , subjects in group 1 continued consuming the LFLFD whereas subjects in group 2 consumed a low-fat , high-fiber diet ( LFHFD ) . Most dietary fatty acids were monounsaturated ( 38 - 41 % ) and fibers , when provided ( up to 35 g/d ) , came from unrefined cereals , legumes , and soluble-fiber-enriched ready-to-eat cereals . After period 1 of the LFLFD , mean serum and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations of subjects in groups 1 ( -12.5 % and -15.5 % , respectively ) and 2 ( -10.5 % and -15.5 % , respectively ) decreased significantly from baseline ( P < 0.05 ) . After period 2 , mean serum and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of subjects consuming the LFLFD ( group 1 ) were still lower ( by 8.8 % and 9.2 % , respectively , from baseline ) whereas in subjects consuming the LFHFD ( group 2 ) these values decreased further to significantly lower values ( 14.2 % and 17.6 % from baseline , respectively ) . Fasting high-density-lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol , apolipoprotein A-I , glycemia , and insulinemia did not change significantly . In seven men , postpr and ial lipemia transiently increased more after a breakfast test meal at the completion of the LFHFD period than after the LFLFD period . In conclusion , an LFHFD more comparable with the traditional Mediterranean diet may improve the dietary management of moderate hypercholesterolemia AIMS To study the long-term ( 1- and 2-year ) effect of a lifestyle intervention on non-diabetic first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients , i.e. , the 1-year effect of diet versus diet and exercise in relation to a control group and the 2-year sustainability of these treatment effects . METHOD Seventy-seven healthy first-degree relatives ( men and women ) between the ages of 25 and 55 were allocated to one of three groups : diet group ( D ) , diet and exercise group ( DE ) and control group ( C ) . For ethical reasons , after 1 year the control group began the intervention and were followed for another 2 years . Diet and physical activity counselling was based on current nutrition recommendations , including increased intake of fatty fish and low glycaemic index foods . The fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane was studied as an objective measure of dietary change . Assessment s included fasting insulin , 2-h insulin , oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT ) , anthropometry and blood lipid measurements . Groups D and DE received intensive follow-up through unannounced telephone interviews during the first 4 months . RESULTS Dietary changes were significant at 1 year , and to a large degree sustained at 2 years . Adherence to advice regarding fat quality was confirmed through changes in the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane . The least active subjects in DE increased their physical activity ( PA ) . At 1 year , group D showed a reduction in the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol ( p=0.028 ) while group DE decreased their body weight by 2.7 % ( p<0.029 ) and increased HDL ( p<0.037 ) versus controls . At 2 years , cholesterol levels ( total , LDL and the ratio LDL/HDL ) were reduced within group D and when compared to DE ( p=0.022 , 0.009 , 0.035 , respectively ) . Fasting insulin was reduced within group DE and when compared to group D ( p=0.025 ) . CONCLUSIONS Positive changes in lifestyle , blood lipids and fasting insulin can be achieved and maintained in a non-diabetic population at risk of type 2 diabetes after 2 years Currently , there is no effective therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) , and although calorie restriction is recommended in guidelines , but adherence is an issue . The current study aim ed to determine the effectiveness of eight weeks intermittent fasting ( IF ) strategy in the control of NAFLD activity and the adherence rate of such strategy . This was a r and omized controlled trial with modified alternate-day calorie restriction ( MACR ) , a form of IF , as the active intervention and usual habitual diet as control . The outcome measures included changes in body mass index ( BMI ) , blood lipids ( cholesterol , LDL , HDL and triglyceride ) , fasting blood sugar ( FBS ) , liver enzymes ( ALT and AST ) , and ultrasound measurements of liver steatosis and 2-dimensional shear wave elastography ( SWE ) . Per- protocol ( PP ) analysis was performed with comparison within ( post vs. pre-intervention ) and between ( MACR vs. control ) groups and P < 0.05 as significant . Of 115 individuals with NAFLD , 43 satisfied the study entry criteria , and 33 were r and omised to MACR and 10 to control group , and after 8 weeks , 30 from MACR and 9 from control group completed PP .  Significant reduction in weight and BMI ( P = 0.001 and 0.02 respectively ) was observed in MACR vs. control . Likewise , ALT was reduced with MACR but not control ( P = 0.02 ) . No reductions in lipid parameters and FBS were found in between-group analyses ( all P > 0.22 ) . Both liver steatosis and fibrosis ( SWE ) scores were significantly reduced in MACR vs. controls ( both P < 0.01 ) . Adherence level for MACR remained between 75 - 83 % throughout the study . As a conclusion , eight weeks of IF ( MACR ) strategy appears more effective than usual habitual diet in the control of NAFLD activity and with good adherence rate OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate whether intermittent fasting ( IF ) is an effective preventive measure , and whether it is feasible for healthy volunteers under every day conditions . METHODS A nonr and omized controlled clinical trial on IF was performed with healthy volunteers over a period of 8 wk , and a subsequent 4-mo follow-up . Outcomes were assessed at baseline , after 8 wk , and after 6 mo . Volunteers who were not interested in fasting  served as a control group . Participants in the fasting group were asked to continue their regular nutritional habits on the nonfasting days , whereas the control group maintained their habitual nutrition throughout the whole period . Outcomes included changes of metabolic parameters ( insulin , glucose , insulin resistance , insulin-like growth factor-1 , brain-derived neurotropic factor , lipids , liver enzymes , hemoglobin A1c ) and coagulation markers ; bioelectrical impedance analysis ; body mass index ; abdominal girth ; blood pressure ; general quality of life ( five-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index [ WHO-5 ] question naire ) , as well as mood and anxiety ( Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [ HADS ] , Profile of Mood States , Flourishing-Scale , visual analog scale , Likert scales ) . The intervention consisted of a fasting day , which was repeated every week for 8 wk , with abstinence from solid food between 00:00 and 23:59 at minimum and a maximum caloric intake of 300 kcal on each fasting day . A per- protocol analysis was performed . P < 0.05 was considered significant . RESULTS Thirty-six volunteers were included ; 22 allocated themselves to the fasting group , and 14 to the control group . Thirty-three data sets were included in the final analysis . Although significant in-group changes were observed in both groups for a number of outcomes after 8 wk and 6 mo , no significant between-group differences were observed for any outcome other than overall body fat mass after 8 wk as well as for the HADS total score and the WHO-5 total score after 6 mo , all in favor of the fasting group . However , none of the between-group differences were clinical ly relevant . CONCLUSIONS We did not find any clinical ly relevant differences between groups in this controlled clinical pilot trial of 8 wk of IF in healthy volunteers . Further clinical research in this field is warranted to further analyze mechanisms and effects of IF A periodic fasting diet improves markers of metabolic dysfunction , particularly in people already at risk .  Fasting : More than a fad Mice that fast periodically are healthier , metabolically speaking . To explore whether fasting can help people as well , Wei et al. studied 71 people who either consumed a fasting-mimicking diet for 5 days each month for 3 months or maintained their normal diet for 3 months and then switched to the fasting schedule .  The fasting-like diet reduced body weight and body fat , lowered blood pressure , and decreased the hormone IGF-1 , which has been implicated in aging and disease . A post hoc analysis replicated these results and also showed that fasting decreased BMI , glucose , triglycerides , cholesterol , and C-reactive protein ( a marker for inflammation ) . These effects were generally larger in the subjects who were at greater risk of disease at the start of the study . A larger study is needed to replicate these results , but they raise the possibility that fasting may be a practical road to a healthy metabolic system . Calorie restriction or changes in dietary composition can enhance healthy aging , but the inability of most subjects to adhere to chronic and extreme diets , as well as potentially adverse effects , limits their application . We r and omized 100 generally healthy participants from the United States into two study arms and tested the effects of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD)—low in calories , sugars , and protein but high in unsaturated fats — on markers/risk factors associated with aging and age-related diseases . We compared subjects who followed 3 months of an unrestricted diet to subjects who consumed the FMD for 5 consecutive days per month for 3 months . Three FMD cycles reduced body weight , trunk , and total body fat ; lowered blood pressure ; and decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 ( IGF-1 ) . No serious adverse effects were reported . After 3 months , control diet subjects were crossed over to the FMD program , result ing in a total of 71 subjects completing three FMD cycles . A post hoc analysis of subjects from both FMD arms showed that body mass index , blood pressure , fasting glucose , IGF-1 , triglycerides , total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and C-reactive protein were more beneficially affected in participants at risk for disease than in subjects who were not at risk . Thus , cycles of a 5-day FMD are safe , feasible , and effective in reducing markers/risk factors for aging and age-related diseases . Larger studies in patients with diagnosed diseases or selected on the basis of risk factors are warranted to confirm the effect of the FMD on disease prevention and treatment OBJECTIVE To compare three sets of dietary guidelines for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes ( NIDDM ) in free-living individuals and to observe the effects on metabolic control over an 18-month period . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Seventy volunteer subjects with NIDDM were r and omly assigned to one of three diets , a weight-management diet , a high-carbohydrate/fiber diet , or a modified-lipid diet and followed for 18 months . Nutrient intakes , weight , blood lipids , and glycemic control were measured . RESULTS In all diet groups , glycated hemoglobin ( HbA1 ) fell significantly before diet intervention began , remaining lower throughout the study and at follow-up 9 months later . Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol showed a sustained fall in all groups after diet intervention . Apart from transient changes in high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol and triglyceride ( TG ) in the diet groups with the higher carbohydrate intake , no lasting differences were found between the three diet groups . CONCLUSIONS In the long term , there were few differences in the outcome of the three dietary prescriptions . Even with intensive instruction , participants found it difficult to meet recommended nutrient intakes ; however , specific dietary advice did result in an improvement in LDL cholesterol . Adverse changes in HDL cholesterol and TG because of diet intervention were transient . The significant improvement in glycemic control during the recruitment phase may have been the result of particpants ' previous dietary knowledge and the increased attention that they received during the intervention Although popular diets focus on weight loss and their favorable biochemical and physiological effects , fewer investigations have evaluated the biological impact of these diets during weight maintenance . To study this issue , three popular diets-Atkins , South Beach , and Ornish-were tested in a r and omized and counterbalanced crossover study between January and December 2006 . Participants completed each of the three 4-week isocaloric dietary intervention phases followed by a 4-week washout period . They were weighed weekly and caloric adjustments made if weight change exceeded 1 kg . At the completion of each dietary phase , 3-day food records were analyzed , fasting blood sample d , and brachial artery reactivity testing performed . Eighteen adults completed all three isocaloric dietary phases . During the South Beach and Ornish maintenance phase , there were significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( 11.8 % ; P=0.01 , 16.6 % ; P=0.0006 , respectively ) compared to prediet baseline . In addition , in contrast to the Atkins maintenance phase , significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels were observed after the South Beach ( P=0.003 , P=0.05 ; repeated measures analyses of variance ) and Ornish maintenance phases ( P=0.0004 , P=0.006 , repeated measures analyses of variance ) . Brachial artery testing revealed an inverse correlation between flow-mediated vasodilatation and intake of saturated fat ( r=-0.33 ; P=0.016 ) . These data suggest that during weight maintenance , less favorable biological effects are observed during a simulated , high-fat Atkins diet when compared to the South Beach and Ornish diet . The findings support additional study in subjects with visceral obesity and the metabolic syndrome , in whom an increased risk of coronary disease at baseline may be accentuated with chronic consumption of a diet that exhibits unfavorable effects on lipids and endothelial function Compliance with dietary recommendations and the effect of intensified dietary therapy on energy and nutrient intakes and fatty acid composition of serum lipids were studied in 86 obese subjects ( aged 40 to 64 years ) with recently diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) . After three months of basic education , the subjects were r and omly separated into an intervention group ( n = 40 ) and a conventional treatment group ( n = 46 ) . Members of the intervention group participated in 12 months of intensified education ; those in the conventional group visited local health centers . Compliance with dietary instructions was monitored through food records . Intensified dietary therapy result ed in greater weight loss , better metabolic control , and a less atherogenic lipid profile than conventional treatment . Intake of energy and saturated fatty acids tended to decline in the intervention group . A higher percentage of patients in the intervention group had a total fat intake of 30 % of energy or less after 15 months ( 32.5 % [ 12 of 38 ] vs 17.4 % [ 8 of 46 ] ) . Similarly , more patients in the intervention group had a saturated fatty acid intake of 10 % or less of total energy intake at the end of the study ( 35.0 % [ 13 of 38 ] vs 8.7 % [ 4 of 46 ] ) . The mean dietary cholesterol intake was within recommendations in both groups at the end of the study . The relative percentage of linoleic acid of serum lipids increased significantly and the relative percentage of palmitic acid of serum triglycerides , phospholipids , and cholesterol esters decreased in the intervention group . These changes indicate that intensified dietary therapy improved the quality of fat in the diet of patients with NIDDM The authors examined the effects of a comprehensive lifestyle modification intervention on blood pressure ( BP ) and other  cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients . A total of 70 participants were r and omly placed into either a lifestyle intervention or a control group . Four education classes and individual counseling sessions were held for the intervention group . Participants in the control group were provided with routine outpatient services and were asked to maintain their usual lifestyle . Data were gathered at baseline and at the end of 6 months . At the end of 6 months , BP , body weight , body mass index , waist circumference , and fasting lipids , apart from high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , significantly declined in the intervention group . Healthpromoting lifestyle scores of the intervention group had increased significantly compared to those of the control group . In conclusion , the results demonstrate the feasibility of comprehensive lifestyle modification and show its beneficial effects Introduction Impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) often progresses to type 2 diabetes . Given the severity and prevalence of this disease , primary prevention is important . Intensive lifestyle counseling interventions have delayed or prevented the onset of type 2 diabetes , but it is not known whether less intensive , more easily replicable efforts can also be effective . Methods In a lifestyle intervention study design ed to reduce risks for type 2 diabetes , 200 American Indian women without diabetes , aged 18 to 40 years , were recruited from an urban community without regard to weight or IFG and block-r and omized into intervention and control groups on the basis of fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) . Dietary and physical activity behaviors were reported , and clinical metabolic , fitness , and body composition measures were taken at baseline and at periodic follow-up through 18 months . American Indian facilitators used a group- discussion format during the first 6 months to deliver a culturally influenced educational intervention on healthy eating , physical activity , social support , and goal setting . We analyzed a subset of young American Indian women with IFG at baseline ( n = 42 ) , selected from both the intervention and control groups . Results Among the women with IFG , mean FBG significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up ( P < .001 ) and converted to normal ( < 5.6 mmol/L or < 100 mg/dL ) in 62.0 % of the 30 women who completed the 18-month follow-up , irrespective of participation in the group educational sessions . Other improved metabolic values included significant decreases in mean fasting blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels . The women reported significant overall mean decreases in intake of total energy , saturated fat , total fat , total sugar , sweetened beverages , proportion of sweet foods in the diet , and hours of TV watching . Conclusion Volunteers with IFG in this study benefited from learning their FBG values and reporting their dietary patterns ; they made dietary changes and improved their FBG and lipid profiles . If confirmed in larger sample s , these results support periodic dietary and body composition assessment , as well as glucose monitoring among women with IFG Introduction Healthy body weight is an important factor for prevention of breast cancerrecurrence . Yet , weight loss and weight gain are not currently included in clinical - practice guidelines for posttreatment of breast cancer . The work reportedaddresses one of the questions that must be considered in recommending weight lossto patients : does it matter what diet plan is used , a question of particular importance because breast cancer treatment can increase risk for cardiovasculardisease . Methods Women who completed treatment for breast cancer were enrolled in a nonr and omized , controlled study investigating effects of weight loss achieved by using twodietary patterns at the extremes of macronutrient composition , although both dietarms were equivalent in protein : high fat , low carbohydrate versus low fat , highcarbohydrate . A nonintervention group served as the control arm ; women wereassigned to intervention arms based on dietary preferences . During the 6-monthweight-loss program , which was menu and recipe defined , participants had monthly clinical visits at which anthropometric data were collected and fasting blood wasobtained for safety monitoring for plasma lipid profiles and fasting glucose . Results from 142 participants are reported . Results Adverse effects on fasting blood lipids or glucose were not observed in eitherdietary arm . A decrease in fasting glucose was observed with progressive weightloss and was greater in participants who lost more weight , but the effect was notstatistically significant , even though it was observed across both diet groups(P = 0.21 ) . Beneficial effects of weight loss on cholesterol ( 4.7%;P = 0.001 ) , triglycerides ( 21.8 % ; P = 0.01 ) , and low-densitylipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol ( 5.8 % ; P = 0.06 ) were observed in bothgroups . For cholesterol ( P = 0.07 ) and LDL cholesterol ( P = 0.13 ) , greater reduction trends were seen on the low-fat diet pattern ; whereas , for triglycerides ( P = 0.01 ) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)cholesterol ( P = 0.08 ) , a decrease or increase , respectively , was greateron the low-carbohydrate diet pattern . Conclusions Because an individual 's dietary preferences can affect dietary adherence and weight-loss success , the lack of evidence of a negative effect of dietary patternon biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk is an important consideration inthe development of breast cancer practice guidelines for physicians who recommendthat their patients lose weight . Whether dietary pattern affects biomarkers thatpredict long-term survival is a primary question in this ongoing clinical trial Mechanisms explaining the decrease in circulatory cholesterol levels after weight loss remain ill defined . The objective was to examine effects of weight loss as achieved through energy restriction upon human in vivo cholesterol bio synthesis . Six subjects ( 64 - 77 y , body mass index , 30.3 + /- 3.8 kg/m(2 ) ) were recruited into a two-phase prospect i ve clinical trial . In the first phase , subjects complied with American Heart Association ( AHA ) Step I diets for 3 mo with no change in their usual energy intake . After this weight-stable phase , subjects consumed an AHA Step I diet with a targeted reduction in energy intake of approximately 1000 kJ/d for 6 mo to achieve negative energy balance leading to weight loss . The incorporation rate of deuterium from body water into erythrocyte membrane free cholesterol over 24 h was utilized as an index of cholesterogenesis at the end of both phases . Subjects ' mean weights decreased ( P < 0.05 ) from 89.3 + /- 12.5 kg to 83.2 + /- 11.5 kg ( 6.8 + /- 2.6 % of initial body weight ) across phases . Circulating concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol , and triglycerides also decreased ( P < 0 . 05 ) across phases . HDL-cholesterol concentrations were unchanged ( P > 0.05 ) . Cholesterol fractional synthetic rate ( FSR ) after phase 2 ( 3.04 + /- 1.90%/d ) was lower ( P < 0.05 ) than that after phase 1 ( 8 . 42 + /- 3.90%/d ) . Absolute synthesis rate ( ASR ) after phase 2 [ 0.59 + /- 0.38 g/(kg . d ) ] also was lower ( P < 0.05 ) than that after phase 1 [ 1.66 + /- 0.84 g/(kg . d ) ] . These data suggest that , in obese men , energy restriction result ing in even modest weight loss suppresses endogenous cholesterol synthesis , which contributes to a decline in circulating lipid concentrations ABSTRACT Background : There are no investigations regarding the effects of consuming low-energy-dense diets rich in multiple functional foods on weight-loss maintenance , inflammatory markers , and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors simultaneously . Method : This r and omized controlled trial design was conducted on 90 men and women who were under a previous weight loss diet . Three months of intervention with recruitment at Allzahra Hospital , Isfahan , Iran , was done . Intervention was conducted following achieving 7–11 kg weight loss . Participants were encouraged to consumed these three : an isocaloric control diet ( 50 % of energy from carbohydrate , 35 % from fat , 15 % from protein ) , a low-glycemic-index diet ( LE ) ( 60 % from carbohydrate , 25 % from fat , and 15 % from protein ) , and a low-glycemic-index diet rich in multiple functional foods ( LE + FF ) ( 60 % from carbohydrate , 25 % from fat , and 15 % from protein ) . Fasting blood glucose , serum insulin level , lipid profiles , inflammatory markers , adiponectin , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , and anthropometric measurements were assessed using st and ard guidelines . Results : The percent changes of weight , waist , and body mass index ( BMI ) , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) , tumor necrosis factor ( TNF ) α , total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , triglyceride , and fasting blood glucose ( FBS ) were substantially more decreased in the LE + FF group compared to the LE and control groups ( p ≤ 0.03 ) . Percent change of adiponectin among the LE + FF group was significantly more enhanced ( 7.29 ± 0.10 ) compared with the LE group ( 1.28 ± 0.20 ) ( p = 0.001 ) . Significantly more increment in the percent change of total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) ( 6.91 ± 0.10 ) was obtained among the LE + FF group compared to the LE group ( 1.79 ± 0.04 ) . Conclusions : This study provides established evidence supporting the beneficial effects of a low-energy-dense diet rich in multiple functional foods diet on improving weight-loss maintenance , inflammation , and cardiovascular risk factors
Relative to a non-diet control , IF and ERD are effective for the improvement of circulating TC , LDL-C , and TG concentrations , but have no meaningful effects on HDL-C concentration .
The present results suggest that these dietary practice s are a means of enhancing the lipid profile in humans
OBJECTIVES To the best of our knowledge , no systematic review and meta- analysis has evaluated the cholesterol-lowering effects of intermittent fasting ( IF ) and energy-restricted diets ( ERD ) compared with control groups .
The aim of this review and meta- analysis was to summarize the effects of controlled clinical trials examining the influence of IF and ERD on lipid profiles .