Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice

Published on: November 27, 2019

Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health

Izzah Vasim¹, Chaudry N Majeed², Mark D DeBoer³

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hospital Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA.

|March 12, 2022

Summary

Intermittent fasting, a dietary approach involving timed food avoidance, aids weight control and improves metabolic health. This method, including time-restricted feeding, offers benefits for individuals struggling with weight gain.

Area of Science:

Nutrition Science
Metabolic Health
Obesity Research

Background:

The global obesity epidemic necessitates novel weight management strategies.
Intermittent fasting (IF) presents a promising dietary approach for improving health outcomes.
Current eating patterns are insufficient for many individuals seeking effective weight control.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent fasting as a weight control method.
To explore the metabolic benefits associated with various intermittent fasting schedules.
To assess the potential of intermittent fasting for improving cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

Review of different intermittent fasting protocols, including alternate-day fasting and time-restricted feeding (e.g., 6-hour eating window with 18-hour fasting).
Analysis of metabolic changes, such as ketone production from fatty acid metabolism.
Examination of effects on body weight, lipid profiles, and blood pressure.

Main Results:

Intermittent fasting regimens consistently lead to a reduction in body weight.
Fasting periods induce favorable metabolic shifts, including the generation of ketones.
Observed improvements in dyslipidemia and blood pressure were linked to IF protocols.

Conclusions:

Intermittent fasting demonstrates potential as an effective strategy for weight management and metabolic improvement.
Time-restricted feeding and other IF patterns offer benefits beyond simple caloric restriction.
Consideration of intermittent fasting is warranted for individuals with unhealthy weight gain, with caution advised for specific health conditions.

Keywords:

intermittent fasting ketones metabolic syndrome obesity type 2 diabetes

More Related Videos

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

Published on: February 2, 2019

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...

Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...

Metabolic States of the Body: The Absorptive State

Metabolic States of the Body: The Absorptive State

During the absorptive state, which lasts approximately four hours after a meal, the body absorbs nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract. The carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids we consume are broken down into monosaccharides, amino acids, and free fatty acids for absorption. While carbohydrates and proteins are absorbed as-is, lipids are absorbed in their broken-down forms and then re-esterified into triglycerides within enterocytes before being packaged into chylomicrons. These absorbed...

Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Human-milk vitamin B-3 (niacin and vitamer) concentrations: secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of maternal nicotinamide supplementation in rural Tanzania.

The American journal of clinical nutrition·2026

Metabolic syndrome severity is related to perceived discrimination and stress in the all of us cohort.

Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology·2026

Free testosterone independently predicts metabolic syndrome severity in U.S. adolescent girls aged 12-19 years.

Journal of the Endocrine Society·2026

The Rise and Rise of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Youth.

Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy·2025

Safety and Feasibility of a Fully Automated Insulin Delivery System: FCL@Home, a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes.

Diabetes care·2025

Birth season shapes the infant metabolome and development in Tanzania: a secondary explorative analysis of the early life interventions for childhood growth and development in Tanzania (ELICIT) trial.

Nature communications·2025

See all related articles