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Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 29106

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Spyridon N. Karras

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School of Aristotle University, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: intermittent fasting; periodic fasting; religious fasting: fasting glucose; obesity; impaired fasting glucose; non-fasting triglycerides; fasting blood glucose; caloric restriction; meal frequency; calorie restriction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Theocharis Koufakis

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Guest Editor

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: intermittent fasting; periodic fasting; religious fasting: fasting glucose; obesity; impaired fasting glucose; non-fasting triglycerides; fasting blood glucose; caloric restriction; meal frequency; calorie restriction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Periodic fasting, for health or religious reasons, has been adopted by humans for centuries. Diets utilizing intermittent fasting (IF) as a strategic approach for preventing chronic metabolic diseases or adhering to a healthy lifestyle have recently grown in popularity. Moreover, fasting has been suggested to induce longevity in various populations; however, the exact mechanistic basis of these biophenomena remains to be elucidated.

The increasing interest of the scientific community and general population in dietary patterns that incorporate periodic or intermittent fasting has resulted in a rapid increase in available results from both observational and randomized trials. However, the interpretation of available knowledge, as well the development of future research agenda, requires a careful and holistic approach.

Specifically, appropriately designed future nutritional trials on the field are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of fasting in specific groups of patients with chronic metabolic diseases, including dyslipidemia, with or without cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arterial hypertension. On the other hand, data on the effects of these dietary patterns on the musculoskeletal microenviroment are still under investigation. Practical recommendations for daily clinical practice regarding optimal timing and duration of this dietary intervention and dietary deficiencies that could result from its implementation are also lacking. In this regard, healthcare providers worldwide postulate a sound individualized scientific approach unbiased from quandaries, oriented toward improving long-term health outcomes and patient quality of life. It becomes evident that the field is at a crossroads at the beginning of the new decade.

The aim of this Special Issue is to update our knowledge on intermittent or periodic fasting, for health or religious reasons, regarding its efficacy for chronic metabolic and inflammatory clinical entities. Manuscripts related to religious fasting will receive extra attention. We welcome different types of manuscript submissions, including original research articles and up-to-date reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

Dr. Spyridon N. Karras
Dr. Theocharis Koufakis
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

intermittent fasting
periodic fasting
religious fasting: fasting glucose
obesity
impaired fasting glucose
non-fasting triglycerides
fasting blood glucose
caloric restriction
meal frequency
calorie restriction

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dissociation between Corneal and Cardiometabolic Changes in Response to a Time-Restricted Feeding of a High Fat Diet

by Prince K. Akowuah, Aubrey Hargrave, Rolando E. Rumbaut and Alan R. Burns

Nutrients 2022, 14(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010139 - 29 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) ab libitum show corneal dysregulation, as evidenced by decreased sensitivity and impaired wound healing. Time-restricted (TR) feeding can effectively mitigate the cardiometabolic effects of an HFD. To determine if TR feeding attenuates HFD-induced corneal dysregulation, this study evaluated 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice fed an ad libitum normal diet (ND), an ad libitum HFD, or a time-restricted (TR) HFD for 10 days. Corneal sensitivity was measured using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. A corneal epithelial abrasion wound was created, and wound closure was monitored for 30 h. Neutrophil and platelet recruitment were assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy. TR HFD fed mice gained less weight (p < 0.0001), had less visceral fat (p = 0.015), and had reduced numbers of adipose tissue macrophages and T cells (p < 0.05) compared to ad libitum HFD fed mice. Corneal sensitivity was reduced in ad libitum HFD and TR HFD fed mice compared to ad libitum ND fed mice (p < 0.0001). Following epithelial abrasion, corneal wound closure was delayed (~6 h), and neutrophil and platelet recruitment was dysregulated similarly in ad libitum and TR HFD fed mice. TR HFD feeding appears to mitigate adipose tissue inflammation and adiposity, while the cornea remains sensitive to the pathologic effects of HFD feeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

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9 pages, 576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile

by Anatoli Petridou, Nikolaos E. Rodopaios, Vassilis Mougios, Alexandra-Aikaterini Koulouri, Eleni Vasara, Sousana K. Papadopoulou, Petros Skepastianos, Maria Hassapidou and Anthony Kafatos

Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 3963; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113963 - 06 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1874

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p < 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

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13 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Restricted Feeding and Metabolic Outcomes in a Cohort of Italian Adults

by Walter Currenti, Silvio Buscemi, Raffaele Ivan Cincione, Achille Cernigliaro, Justyna Godos, Giuseppe Grosso and Fabio Galvano

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051651 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6124

Abstract

Background: research exploring the effects of food timing and frequency on health and disease is currently ongoing. While there is an increasing body of scientific literature showing the potential health benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) in laboratory settings and in animals, studies regarding IF on humans are limited. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the feeding/fasting time window and metabolic outcomes among adult individuals. Methods: dietary and demographic data of 1936 adult subjects living in the south of Italy were examined. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were administered to determine the period of time between the first and the last meal of a typical day. Subjects were then divided into those with a time feeding window lasting more than 10 h, within 8 h (TRF-8) and within 10 h. Results: after adjustment for potential confounding factors related to eating habits (such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet, having breakfast/dinner), TRF-10 was inversely associated with being overweight/obese (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07), hypertension (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.45), and dyslipidemias (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.63), while TRF-8 only with being overweight/obese (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.15) and hypertension (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.60). No associations were found with type-2 diabetes. Conclusions: individuals with a restricted feeding time window were less likely to be overweight, obese and hypertensive. Further studies are needed to clearly validate the results of the present study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

10 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Christian Orthodox Fasting Versus Time-Restricted Eating on Plasma Irisin Concentrations Among Overweight Metabolically Healthy Individuals

by Spyridon N. Karras, Theocharis Koufakis, Lilian Adamidou, Georgios Dimakopoulos, Paraskevi Karalazou, Katerina Thisiadou, Kali Makedou and Kalliopi Kotsa

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041071 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3299

Abstract

Irisin has been recently identified as an adipomyokine produced during physical activity and involved in the browning of adipose tissue. Despite the emerging evidence suggesting an inverse relationship between irisin plasma concentrations and adverse metabolic outcomes, the exact impact of diet on irisin levels remains obscure. Thus, we aimed to assess the effects of two dietary patterns, Christian Orthodox fasting (OF) and 16:8 time-restricted eating (TRE), on circulating irisin levels among overweight, metabolically healthy, adults. Plasma irisin, glucose and lipid parameters, calcium homeostasis, and anthropometry were evaluated in 29 Orthodox fasters and 14 age and body mass index (BMI)-matched TRE controls (mean age and BMI, 48.8 years and 28.7 kg/m², respectively) at three, distinct time points—before the implementation of the energy-restricted diets (baseline), at the end of the dietary intervention (7 weeks) and 5 weeks after participants returned to their typical dietary habits (12 weeks from baseline). Repeated measures analysis was applied to assess differences between the two groups and the effect of several indices on irisin levels at all three time points. At 12 weeks, the OF group manifested higher irisin concentrations compared with both its baseline values (64.3 ± 54.4 vs. 43.6 ± 42.2 ng/mL, p = 0.01) and those of the TRE group at the same time point (64.3 ± 54.4 vs. 44.2 ± 26.6 ng/mL, p = 0.04). Glycemic, lipid, and anthropometric parameters were not found to correlate with irisin levels. In contrast, parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations at 12 weeks correlated with irisin concentrations (p = 0.04), indicating that lower values of irisin are expected for higher PTH measurements. The findings of this pilot study suggest favorable long-term effects of OF on irisin levels. The interplay between irisin, PTH, and diet warrants further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

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14 pages, 791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life

by Cleanthe Spanaki, Nikolaos E. Rodopaios, Alexandra Koulouri, Triantafyllos Pliakas, Sousana K. Papadopoulou, Eleni Vasara, Petros Skepastianos, Tatiana Serafeim, Iro Boura, Emmanouil Dermitzakis and Anthony Kafatos

Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020627 - 15 Feb 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5127

Abstract

Lifestyle choices significantly influence mental health in later life. In this study we investigated the effects of the Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting diet, which includes long-term regular abstinence from animal-based products for half the calendar year, on cognitive function and emotional wellbeing of healthy adults. Two groups of fasting and non-fasting individuals were evaluated regarding their cognitive performance and the presence of anxiety and depression using the Mini Mental Examination Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Data on physical activity, smoking, and vitamin levels were collected and correlated with mental health scoring. Negative binomial regression was performed to examine differences in the GDS scores between the two groups. Significantly lower levels of anxiety (7.48 ± 4.98 vs. 9.71 ± 5.25; p < 0.001) and depression (2.24 ± 1.77 vs. 3.5 ± 2.52; p < 0.001), along with better cognitive function (29.15 ± 0.79 vs. 28.64 ± 1.27; p < 0.001), were noticed in fasting compared to non-fasting individuals. GDS score was 31% lower (Incidence Rate Ratio: 0.69, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.56–0.85) in the fasting group compared to the control, while vitamin and ferrum levels did not differ. The COC fasting diet was found to have an independent positive impact on cognition and mood in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

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11 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Observational Study of Lipid Profile and C-Reactive Protein after a Seven-Day Fast

by Valeria Galetti, Marica Brnic, Benjamin Lotin and Mauro Frigeri

Nutrients 2021, 13(1), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010255 - 17 Jan 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4875

Abstract

Fasting is becoming an increasingly popular practice. Nevertheless, its clinical benefits and possible inconveniences remain limitedly evaluated. We observed the effects of a seven-day fast conducted in a non-medical center located in the Swiss Alps. Clinical parameters were measured on the first and last day of fasting (D1 and D7), and two months later (D60). Among the 40 participants, blood analyses were done on 25 persons with an increased metabolic risk, with the primary goal of assessing the lasting effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. By comparing D60 with D1, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (+0.15 mmol/L) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (+2.05 mmol/L) increased (both p < 0.009), all other blood parameters (LDL, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP)) did not change; weight (−0.97 kg) and hearth rate (−7.31 min⁻¹) decreased (both p < 0.006). By comparing D7 with D1, total cholesterol (+0.44 mmol/L), triglycerides (+0.37 mmol/L) and CRP (+3.37 mg/L) increased (all p < 0.02). The lack of LDL variation at D60 may be due to the low metabolic risk level of the participants. The increase of total cholesterol, triglycerides and CRP at D7 warrants studies to understand whether such fluctuations represent a stress reaction to the fasting state, which may vary in different fasting types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

Review

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13 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Different Types of Intermittent Fasting on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters among Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)—A Systematic Review

by Gracjan Różański, Derek Pheby, Julia L. Newton, Modra Murovska, Paweł Zalewski and Joanna Słomko

Nutrients 2022, 14(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010091 - 26 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4575

Abstract

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It is characterised by excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Currently, no pharmacological therapy is effective for this disease, so non-pharmacological alternatives such as diet, supplementation or physical activity are being sought. For this reason, we reviewed the available databases to analyse the studies conducted to date using different modifications of intermittent fasting among patients with MAFLD. Eight studies using this dietary strategy were included in this review. The results obtained in the different trials are varied and do not allow a clear determination of the effect of the different types of intermittent fasting on anthropometric and biochemical parameters among patients with MAFLD. However, this type of diet seems to show some therapeutic potential, but further studies are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Short and Long-Term Effects of Intermittent and Periodic Fasting for Health or Religion, on Metabolic Health)

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