Is Intermittent Fasting Fatal? What Do Studies Say?
There has been an increasing trend worldwide of different types of fasting practices to lose weight and control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. A large number of people have started practicing intermittent fasting, which involves consuming nutritious foods at specific times.
For example, this method advises fasting for 16 hours within a 24 hour period and eating light meals in the remaining 8 hours. However, such fasting may not be beneficial for everyone. Recently, researchers have made significant claims regarding this type of fasting.
“Intermittent fasting has been considered beneficial in many ways, but if you have heart disease and practice such fasting, it can increase the risk of death,” the researchers stated in their report.
Health experts have warned against practicing such fasting without a doctor’s advice. It is advised to fast only under medical supervision, considering one's health.
Research on Intermittent Fasting
A study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) conference has raised many questions about intermittent fasting. It is said that such fasting increases the risk of death by 91% for people with heart problems.
The reports of studies conducted on intermittent fasting so far appear to be very contradictory. Previous studies have claimed that this method of fasting is beneficial in reducing insulin sensitivity, inflammation, obesity, and cholesterol, which are factors contributing to heart disease. However, recent reports suggest that such fasting could increase the risk of death from heart attacks.
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Key Points from the AHA Report
Looking at the conclusions of the research paper presented at the conference, it is clear that intermittent fasting can be harmful to people suffering from certain health problems. According to the study, it may also increase the risk of death from heart attacks in individuals suffering from heart disease or cancer. For people with heart disease, intermittent fasting can increase the risk of death from heart attack or stroke by up to 66%.
Expert Objections
Stanford University’s Professor of Medicine and Nutritionist Christopher Gardner, PhD, says these conclusions are premature and misleading. The study group included a large number of men, African Americans, and smokers, who already have a higher risk of heart disease and death. Gardner points out that factors like shift work, stress, and missing data were not considered. Therefore, it is not fair to consider intermittent fasting alone as a risk factor for death.
Questions on the Research Authenticity
Dr. Jason Fung, a renowned nephrologist from Canada and author of books on intermittent fasting, also questioned the study's report. He states that such conclusions cannot be drawn based on the results from a specific population and that further research is needed to confirm this.
The important takeaway is that no single method of fasting is equally suitable for everyone. Such methods should be adopted only after thorough examination and medical advice. It is not advisable to practice such fasting based on hearsay.
