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Updated: May 31, 2026
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Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice
Published on: November 27, 2019
Intermittent fasting versus continuous energy restriction in MASLD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Beibei Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Intermittent fasting (IF) shows greater reductions in weight, BMI, and LDL-C compared to continuous energy restriction (CER) for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). IF may offer benefits for liver fat, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disorders
- Hepatology
- Dietary interventions
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) management often involves dietary changes.
- Intermittent fasting (IF) and continuous energy restriction (CER) are common approaches, but their comparative effectiveness is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of IF versus CER in adults with MASLD.
- To evaluate the impact of different IF methods on metabolic and liver parameters.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
- Searches included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central up to August 2025.
- Nine RCTs (n=894) involving time-restricted feeding, alternate-day fasting, and 5:2 fasting were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Intermittent fasting (IF) resulted in significantly greater reductions in body weight, BMI, and LDL-C compared to CER.
- A potential benefit of IF on liver fat, indicated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), was observed but not consistently confirmed by other measures.
- No significant differences were found for liver stiffness, transaminases, or other lipid and glucose parameters.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent fasting demonstrates superior efficacy over continuous energy restriction in reducing body weight, BMI, and LDL-C in patients with MASLD.
- While IF may improve hepatic steatosis, further robust trials are necessary to confirm these findings and long-term effects.
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