Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes
Diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification are
the typically preferred approaches to weight loss
and weight management. However, employing these
methods frequently fails to achieve long-term
weight loss. So, experts are looking at a number
on different weight loss approaches. Of course the
weight loss and weight management investigations
include diet. And one type of diet receiving
attention is intermittent fasting (IF). In
intermittent fasting, a person follows a very low
calorie or zero calorie diet on some days of the
week, and a non-restricted calorie diet on the
other days of the week. And as might be expected,
there are questions about the effectiveness of IF
as a weight loss treatment, and about IF as a
treatment for type 2 diabetes.
One popular version of IF is presented in the book, "The FastDiet." In this book, author, Michael Moseley, suggests that a man, desiring weight loss, should restrict his diet to 600 calories a day for two non-consecutive days. Moseley suggests that a woman, following his IF approach, should restrict her calories to 500 calories a day for two non-consecutive days. The man or woman should eat normally for the remaining five days of the week. This form of IF appears to be effective for some people. For example, reviews of Moseley's book on Amazon.com indicate that many followers of the diet do lose weight.
Another version of IF is alternate day fasting (ADF). In this form of IF, a person goes on a very low calorie diet on alternate days of the week, while following a normal diet on the other days. This form of IF can enable a person to lose weight. Indeed, one study indicates that ADF can help a person to not only lose weight, but the dieting approach can be effective in treating type 2 diabetes.
One popular version of IF is presented in the book, "The FastDiet." In this book, author, Michael Moseley, suggests that a man, desiring weight loss, should restrict his diet to 600 calories a day for two non-consecutive days. Moseley suggests that a woman, following his IF approach, should restrict her calories to 500 calories a day for two non-consecutive days. The man or woman should eat normally for the remaining five days of the week. This form of IF appears to be effective for some people. For example, reviews of Moseley's book on Amazon.com indicate that many followers of the diet do lose weight.
Another version of IF is alternate day fasting (ADF). In this form of IF, a person goes on a very low calorie diet on alternate days of the week, while following a normal diet on the other days. This form of IF can enable a person to lose weight. Indeed, one study indicates that ADF can help a person to not only lose weight, but the dieting approach can be effective in treating type 2 diabetes.
In one study
examining ADF, where individuals restricted their
calorie intake to 75% of their normal calorie
intake, ADF was found to be as effective as
continuous calorie restrictive dieting for "weight
loss and type 2 diabetes risk reduction in
overweight and obese populations."
Still, in a recent meta
analysis, the investigators suggested that
"IF ... represents a valid -- albeit apparently
not superior ... option to continuous energy
restriction for weight loss." But, at any rate,
the above mentioned book and studies show that in
some cases, IF might be beneficial in some cases.
More research is of course needed. But weight
loss providers should monitor research on IF. And
for specific patients, application of the IF
approach might be feasible.
-------------------------------------------------------
Tags: , ,
Tags: , ,
