Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Weight Loss and Cardiometabolic Health

Intermittent fasting is a cyclical way of eating that is formed by the succession of eating and fasting period. It includes a long period of fasting, such as 16-48 hours, in which individuals receive little or no energy, and a normal eating period. The most commonly applied methods are alternate day fasting (ADF), time-restricted feeding (TRF) the 5:2 diet and Ramadan fasting. It has been reported that these diet models can be an alternative to continuous energy restriction in the medical nutrition treatment of obesity and are effective in weight loss. Intermittent fasting can have positive effects on reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improving symptoms by causing reductions in blood lipids, oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, it is observed that intermittent fasting has effects on the prevention of diabetes by causing reductions in insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose levels. In addition to its positive effects, risks such as energy, vitamin, mineral and protein deficiencies may occur. The most important risk is that patients receiving insulin therapy may experience hypoglycemia during fasting periods. It has been reported to be unsafe for use in pregnant and lactating women, eating disorders, underweight individuals, adolescents, and older adults. Intermittent fasting should be applied under the control of a doctor and dietitian, taking into account individual differences and medical treatment. In this review, studies investigating the effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss and cardiometabolic health are summarized.