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 .
A nonrandomized controlled clinical pilot trial on 8 wk of intermittent fasting (24 h/wk).
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
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 .