Intermittent fasting is not superior to conventional dieting | aptitude

Nowadays, many people swear by intermittent fasting to lose weight and stay healthy. However, if you think it's better than other conventional weight loss diets, a recent study indicates the opposite.

These are the findings of scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital. Scientists conclude that there are many pathways leading to a healthy weight. Everyone needs to find a diet that suits them best.

Intermittent fasting, also known as 16: 8 diet or 5: 2 diet, is fashionable. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) warns that intermittent fasting is not suitable for long-term weight regulation. In addition, according to DGE, there is not enough scientific evidence on the long-term effects of this diet method.

"There are only a few studies to date on intermittent fasting, but they have had remarkably positive effects on metabolic health," says Ruth Schübel of DKFZ. "It made us curious and we wanted to know if these effects could also be proven in a larger group of patients over an extended period of time."

The result can be as surprising as it is sobering for all the followers of intermittent fasting. The researchers found that improvements in health status were the same with both dietary methods. "In participants in both groups, body weight and, with it, visceral fat, or unhealthy belly fat, were lost and the extra fat contained in the liver was reduced," Schübel reported.

The investigators also found no difference between the two diet methods with respect to the other metabolic values ​​badyzed or the biomarkers and gene activities studied.

According to Kühn, the results of the study show that it is not primarily the dietary method that matters but that it is more important to choose a method and follow it. "The same evidence is also suggested in a recent study comparing diets low in carbohydrates and fat, that is, the reduction of carbohydrates compared to the reduction in fat intake while having a balanced diet, "said Kühn. In this study, participants also obtained comparable results with both methods.

The credo of scientists is therefore: "Do it!" In any case, the weight loss will be beneficial for the body and health, as long as it is achieved with a reliable diet and on the basis of a balanced diet.

First published: Nov 27, 2018 16:38 IST