Intermittent Fasting: A Heart Healthy Dietary Pattern?

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Tiffany A. Dong, Emory University; Pratik Sandesara, Emory University; Devinder S. Dhindsa, Emory University; Anurag Mehta, Emory University; Laura C. Arneson, Northwestern University; Allen Dollar, Emory University; Pam R. Taub, University of California San Diego; Laurence Sperling, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-08-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.03.030
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
• Volume: 133
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: 901
• End Page: 907
• Keywords: Diabetes; Circadian; Dyslipidemia; Hypertension; Time Restricted Feeding; Alternative Day Fast

Abstract

Dietary patterns, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to improve cardiac health. Intermittent fasting is another type of popular dietary pattern that is based upon timed periods of fasting. Two different regimens are Alternative Day Fasting and Time-Restricted Eating. Although there are no large, randomized control trials examining the relationship between intermittent fasting and cardiovascular outcomes, current human studies that suggest this diet could reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease with improvement in weight control, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. Intermittent fasting may exert its effects through multiple pathways including reducing oxidative stress, optimization of circadian rhythms and ketogenesis. This review evaluates current literature regarding the potential cardiovascular benefits of intermittent fasting and proposes directions for future research.