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Review Papers | Nutrition Science | Lebanon | Volume 8 Issue 8, August 2019

Insights Gained from Intermittent Fasting & its Impact on Weight Management

Sami El Khatib | Aya Abou Yassine

Abstract: Intermittent fasting is a broad term which includes a variety of programs that manipulate the period and the timing of eating. Time restricted feeding, alternate day fasting and the 5: 2 diet are intermittent fasting protocols that were discussed in this article. The effects of these regimens on weight and metabolic health were reported evidenced by the studies and trials performed on animals, specifically mice, and humans. To date, no research reported weight loss by intermittent fasting that is superior to weight loss achieved by continuous energy restriction. Yet, intermittent fasting is a successful weight loss strategy for normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals seeking to lose weight without following the traditional continuous energy restriction diet. Intermittent fasting doesn’t cause unbalanced nutritional intake, physical, or mental complications. Alternate day fasting protocol is also effective as a weight loss strategy and may help lower the risk of coronary heart diseases since certain studies showed its effect in lowering blood lipid levels, yet further investigation needs to be done for confirmation.

Keywords: Intermittent Fasting, Circadian Rhythm, Weight Management, Alternate Day Fasting

Edition: Volume 8 Issue 8, August 2019,

Pages: 1734 - 1743