Intermittent Fasting May Cause Weight Loss and Improve Metabolic Syndrome, According to New Study.

Did you know that more than one in three adults in the US are dealing with metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is associated with various health risks, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, belly fat and high cholesterol. Overall, these factors can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

However, a recent study from the Salk Institute and the University of California, San Diego, offers hope, suggesting that intermittent fasting—specifically, limited time eating -can be an effective strategy to boost metabolic health.. Here’s what you need to know about this promising research and what the findings could mean for your overall health.

What the Study Found

The study examined the effects of timed eating on people with metabolic syndrome. Researchers analyzed data from 108 adults who were randomly assigned to either a time-restricted eating group or a control group. Both groups received standard care and nutritional counseling based on the Mediterranean diet.

The timed eating group was allowed to eat within an eight to ten hour window each day. Their eating time started at least one hour after waking up and ended at least three hours before going to bed.

“Our bodies actually process sugar and fat very differently depending on the time of day,” explained Satchidananda Panda, PhD, a Salk professor and co-author of the study.. “When we eat on time, we use the body’s natural intelligence again and use the daily rhythm to restore metabolism and improve health.”

After three months, those who practiced the timed meal showed significant improvements in key markers of heart health. Blood sugar and cholesterol levels improved, and hemoglobin A1c decreased, an important indicator of long-term blood sugar control.

In addition, participants in the timed eating group reduced their body weight, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal body fat—3% to 4% more than those in the control group. In addition, they did not lose much muscle mass—a common phenomenon associated with weight loss.

The study’s findings suggest that intermittent fasting may serve as a low-cost, effective intervention for improving metabolic health, particularly in those with metabolic syndrome. .

Unlike expensive medications like Ozempic, which require lifelong use, timed eating is a simple lifestyle change that has no side effects and can be maintained indefinitely. Patients appreciate that they don’t have to change what they eat, just when they eat,” said Emily Manoogian, first study author and clinical researcher at the Salk Institute.. While we agree that intermittent fasting can be an alternative to medication, making this change may not be easy for everyone. If possible, we recommend talking to your health care provider or registered dietitian to discuss possible changes in your eating habits and practical ways to implement them.

The Bottom Line

As metabolic syndrome is on the rise, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals the potential benefits of timed eating to improve health outcomes for millions of Americans. Eating your daily meals in eight to ten hour eating windows, as well as not eating for one hour after waking up and three hours before bed, can It improves your metabolic health significantly and reduces the risk of chronic disease. If you’re considering these lifestyle changes to support your metabolic health, talk to your health care provider or registered dietitian to find out if timed eating is the right choice for you.