A new study published in Nature Communications has shown that intermittent fasting may improve weight, gut health, and metabolism compared to simply reducing calories.
The randomized controlled study included 41 participants who had overweight or obesity at the start of the study. The participants were divided into two groups: one group was assigned to intermediate fasting with protein pacing while the other group was assigned to a heart-healthy, calorie-restricted diet as a control. The two groups consumed the same number of calories, but the timing and composition of their meals were different. Protein pacing is a dietary technique in which high-protein meals (25–50 grams per meal) are evenly spaced throughout the day. Intermittent fasting is a popular eating pattern that includes cycles of eating and fasting throughout the day or over the course of a week. Participants in this study ate their assigned diet for eight weeks. Their weights were measured at the start and end of the study, and the compositions of their gut microbiotas and their levels of certain metabolites were analyzed.
The results showed that after the eight-week dietary intervention, those in the intermediate fasting group had lost more weight, had better gut health, and had better metabolic responses than those in the control group. Those in the intermediate fasting group also had a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms. Their microbiotas were more diverse, and they had higher levels of microbes associated with lean body types and better overall health.
The authors noted that the gut microbiome is essential for overall health, and it plays a particularly important role in the management of obesity and metabolic disorders. The results of this study underscore the important role that diet plays in gut health and determining the composition of the gut microbiome. Dietary interventions such as intermittent fasting and protein pacing have potential to positively influence the composition of the gut microbiota, thereby potentially improving overall health, obesity, and heart health.
Sources: Nature Communications, Science Daily
