Alternate-Day Fasting Shows Promise for Weight Loss and Cholesterol Control   

• As intermittent fasting continues to gain attention, new research highlights alternate-day fasting as a particularly effective method. A recent study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that fasting every other day may lead to greater weight loss and improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels. There are several types of intermittent fasting. Time-restricted eating limits meals to an 8-hour window each day. The 5:2 method involves eating normally for five days and cutting calories for two. Alternate-day fasting requires eating little (about 25% of usual calories) or nothing on fasting days and eating normally on others. The study, published in the BMJ, reviewed 99 clinical trials involving 6,582 adults, many of whom had conditions like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease. While all forms of intermittent fasting and calorie restriction outperformed regular diets for weight loss, alternate-day fasting was the most impactful, showing an average of 1.29 kilograms more weight loss than standard calorie-cutting diets. Alternate-day fasting also reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and systolic blood pressure more than other diets. However, it had little effect on blood sugar or HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Experts note the findings are promising but fall short of the 2-kilogram benchmark for obesity treatment. More research is needed to confirm the long-term effects. J.K. Park Staff Reporter junior/1751271617/1613368089