The Role of Intermittent Fasting on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Metabolic Health and Nutrition
• Dietary Interventions
• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome is a growing health concern characterized by factors like obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
• Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular dietary strategy with potential benefits for metabolic health.
• Previous research suggests IF may positively impact weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze existing studies on the effects of intermittent fasting on key metabolic parameters in individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
• To quantify the impact of intermittent fasting on weight, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels (LDL and HDL), blood pressure (BP), and glucose control.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed and Google Scholar, identifying 6,451 studies.
• Eleven studies meeting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were included in the final analysis.
• A random effects meta-analysis was performed to synthesize data on weight, BMI, cholesterol, BP, and glucose levels.

Main Results:

• Intermittent fasting demonstrated significant reductions in weight (mean reduction: 3.59 kg) and BMI (mean decrease: 1.39 kg/m²).
• Significant decreases were observed in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (mean reduction: 56.22 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (mean decrease: 5.54 mmHg).
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels showed minimal changes, and glucose levels remained stable post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent fasting is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving weight, BMI, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
• The findings support the use of intermittent fasting as a component of metabolic syndrome management.
• Further research is warranted to investigate long-term outcomes and determine optimal IF protocols for diverse populations.