The relationship between intermittent fasting and weight loss

Dear Editor,

I have reviewed the article by Lima et al.¹ entitled “Impact of intermittent fasting on body weight in overweight and obese individuals”. In recent decades, intermittent fasting (IF) is currently a popular strategy for weight loss. Therefore, it is of great evidence-based practice to verify the relationship of IF in the body weight of overweight and obese individuals. The study of Lima et al.¹ makes some valuable contributions. However, I'd like to confirm the details of this article. The authors indicate that table 1 shows 4 papers related to the impact of vitamin D in the glucose profile of pre-diabetic individuals in the headline. In fact, four studies were considered enrolled all assessed the effect of IF in overweight or obese individuals comparing IF groups with calorie-restrictive diet (CRD) groups but not mentioned the impact of vitamin D in the glucose profile.

In addition, a review of the published literature reported improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic parameters (triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol particle size, blood pressure, fat mass, and C-reactive protein), mood/depression status, and quality of life, even longevity genes expression or DNA damage². Observational studies expanded on the fasting benefited with CAD and diabetes. IF with a high-protein diet is effective for weight loss were reported in few studies but not included vitamin D³. The description of the impact of vitamin D in the glucose profile of pre-diabetic individuals should be addressed in detail or revised.

• Funding: none.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Lima CHR, Oliveira IKF, Frota KMG, Carvalho CMRG, Paiva AA, Campelo V, et al. Impact of intermittent fasting on body weight in overweight and obese individuals. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2020;66(2):222-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.66.2.222
  » https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.66.2.222
• ²
  Horne BD, Muhlestein JB, Anderson JL. Health effects of intermittent fasting: hormesis or harm? A systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;102(2):464-70. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.109553
  » https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.109553
• ³
  Welton S, Minty R, O’Driscoll T, Willms H, Poirier D, Madden S, et al. Intermittent fasting and weight loss: systematic review. Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(2):117-25. PMID:32060194

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  27 Aug 2021
• Date of issue
  2021

History

• Received
  02 Oct 2020
• Accepted
  21 Oct 2020