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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice
Published on: November 27, 2019
A fasting-mimicking diet programme reduces abdominal adipose tissue while preserving abdominal muscle mass in persons
Marjolein P Schoonakker1, Elske L van den Burg1, Petra G van Peet1
1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands.
Background And Aim:
This study evaluated the effects of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) programme alongside usual care on abdominal visceral- (aVAT) and subcutaneous (aSAT) adipose tissue, and abdominal muscle area (aMA) in persons with type 2 diabetes in primary care.
Methods And Results:
100 persons with type 2 diabetes using metformin and/or diet alone for glycemic control were randomly assigned to receive an FMD for 5 consecutive days each month plus usual care or usual care only for 12 months. The treatment effect of the FMD on aVAT, aSAT and aMA as well as associations between changes in aVAT, aSAT or aMA, and changes in metabolic parameters were assessed. 89 participants completed baseline visits including MRI. The adjusted estimated treatment effect after 12 months in the FMD group was a loss of 37.9 cm2 (95 % CI -54.7, to -21.0) in aVAT, 20.9 cm2 (95 %CI -34.5 to -7.3) in aSAT and -1.6 cm2 (95 % CI -4.6 to 1.4) in aMA compared to the control group. Changes in aVAT and aSAT were strongly associated with change in HbA1c and moderately with other metabolic parameters.
Conclusions:
A 12-month FMD programme reduced both aVAT and aSAT, while aMA remained unaffected compared to controls in persons with type 2 diabetes. The decline in aVAT and aSAT was associated with a reduction of several metabolic parameters, including HbA1c. A monthly FMD programme yields various health benefits in type 2 diabetes and appears to be a valuable treatment option as adjunct to usual care.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03811587, 05-11-2018.
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