Intermittent fasting in metabolic diseases: From clinical approach to molecular mechanisms

Abstract

Background: Modern lifestyles are increasing the rate of overeating and associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, autoimmune inflammatory diseases and cancer. Intermittent fasting is a form of dietary restriction that has been shown in many clinical trials to be effective in weight loss, fat loss, insulin resistance and stabilization, regulating glycemia, blood pressure and reducing inflammation. Purposes of review: To describe evidences on positive effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic processes during metabolic disorders. Methods: Narrative review collecting and synthetising findings from recent researches as well as those carried out during decades of last century. Findings and conclusions: Research findings showed multiple evidences of various positive effect of intermittent fastings on those with metabolic disorders. Many puzzle pieces in the pathological regulation of intermittent fasting are gradually being studied, such as lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, autophagy, regulation of gut microbiota, regulation of the circadian clock, modification of the adipokine in adipose tissue. Perspective: More clinical trials on larger scales, appling to specific diseases are needed in the hope that dietary restrictions will become real therapies in the future.