- The recent headlines highlighting the potential risks associated with intermittent fasting have sparked concerns regarding its impact on heart health.
- Headlines such as: “Intermittent fasting linked to 91 percent increase in risk of death from heart disease”; “The intermittent fasting trend may pose risks to your heart.”
- These reports originated from findings presented at an American Heart Association conference in Chicago, outlined in an abstract that has yet to undergo peer review.
Here is what we currently know about intermittent fasting and its impact on health.
Understanding Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach involving alternating periods of eating and fasting, with popular methods like restricting eating to an eight-hour window daily. While short-term studies have suggested benefits such as weight loss, improved blood pressure, and enhanced blood sugar control, the focus of this new study led by Victor Wenze Zhong aimed to explore the long-term health implications of intermittent fasting.
The Study Findings
A new study examined over 20,000 American adults who reported their eating times via questionnaires. Participants were followed for an average of eight years.
- The study suggested that individuals restricting their eating to an eight-hour window each day had a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those eating over a 12- to 16-hour period.
- However, the group following the eight-hour eating pattern consisted of only 414 individuals, who were generally younger, less educated, had lower incomes, less food access, and were more likely to smoke.
- The study did not establish a direct causal link between this eating habit and cardiovascular-related deaths but highlighted an association between the two.
Study Limitations
- As the study is not yet published or peer-reviewed, a comprehensive assessment is challenging.
- One significant limitation is the reliance on two diet questionnaires to represent participants’ typical eating habits, without detailed information on the types of foods consumed.
Future Directions
- Further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on health.
- While intermittent fasting may not suit everyone, some individuals have experienced benefits like reduced cholesterol levels.
- Patients are advised to consult their healthcare providers before making any dietary or lifestyle changes in response to the study’s findings.
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