Hormonal
Intermittent fasting protocols (specifically Alternate Day Fasting and Time-Restricted Feeding) reduce cardiovascular risk factors by lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, and by modulating inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP and leptin.
If you have high blood pressure or high LDL, trying an intermittent fasting protocol like 16:8 or 5:2 may help improve your lipid profile and blood pressure. However, results vary; some people see significant drops in LDL and BP, while others see no change. It is not a guaranteed fix for everyone, but it is a viable alternative to continuous calorie restriction, especially if you find daily dieting hard to stick to.
Many studies based on human and animal models on weight loss using an IF diet confirm the reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This is related to the modulating effect of the IF diet on various risk factors of development, such as obesity, improper diet, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and arterial hypertension [11].
Why this rating
The paper is a review citing multiple human and animal studies, but notes mixed results (e.g., some lipid changes were not statistically significant).
Source
Intermittent Fasting in Cardiovascular Disorders—An Overview
Bartosz Malinowski et al. · Nutrients · 2019
DOI 10.3390/nu11030673
More from this paper
- Intermittent fasting improves cardiovascular health by increasing adiponectin levels and reducing pro-inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and leptin, which contributes to anti-atherosclerotic effects.Moderate
- Intermittent fasting lowers blood pressure through increased parasympathetic activity mediated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), leading to reduced heart rate and blood pressure.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
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- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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