Mixed
Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER) improves glucose and lipid homeostasis (reduced fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides) in the short-to-medium term, potentially through mechanisms distinct from continuous energy restriction (CER) such as preferential reduction of ectopic fat and modulation of adipose tissue physiology.
Try an Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER) protocol like the 5:2 diet (eating normally 5 days, restricting calories by ~70-100% on 2 non-consecutive days) or alternate-day modified fasting. Focus on short-to-medium term goals (up to 6 months). Monitor insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, as IER may offer benefits beyond simple weight loss, such as improved insulin sensitivity and reduced triglycerides, potentially through mechanisms like reduced ectopic fat.
For IER, there is a growing evidence demonstrating its benefits on glucose and lipid homeostasis in the short-to-medium term... There is some suggestion that the metabolic changes elicited by these approaches can occur in the absence of energy restriction, and in the context of IER, may be distinct from those observed following similar weight-loss achieved via modest continuous energy restriction.
Why this rating
The paper is a review of rodent and human studies; human data is described as 'mixed' or 'sparse' with methodological limitations, while rodent data is more consistent but not directly translatable.
Source
Effects of intermittent fasting on glucose and lipid metabolism
Rona Antoni et al. · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2017
DOI 10.1017/s0029665116002986
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