The study titled A Preliminary Observational Study on Potential Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting followed by Whole-Plant-Food Refeeding in Normal-Weight Females explores the effects of prolonged water-only fasting on cardiometabolic health.
Conducted by Natasha Thompson, Mackson Ncube, Sahmla Gabriel, Evelyn Zeiler, Alan C. Goldhamer, and Toshia R. Myers, this research aims to fill the gap in understanding how such fasting protocols affect normal-weight females.
Study Design and Participants:
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- Seven normal-weight females participated in this observational study.
- The fasting period lasted a median of 10 days, followed by a 5-day refeeding period and a 44-day follow-up.
- Participants adhered to a whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar (SOS-free diet) post-fasting.
Safety and Tolerability:
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- No severe or serious adverse events were reported during the fasting and refeeding periods.
- Two minor adverse events, Dupuytren’s contracture and parotitis, resolved without medical intervention after refeeding.
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Key Findings
Body Weight (BW): Participants experienced a significant reduction in body weight during fasting, with a median drop from 56.3 kg to 49.7 kg.
Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI decreased correspondingly but normalized by the follow-up.
Cardiometabolic Markers: Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) initially increased during fasting but returned to baseline levels post-refeeding.
Insulin Sensitivity: Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values decreased significantly, indicating improved insulin sensitivity.
Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT): The study observed a reduction in VAT mass and volume, suggesting potential benefits for reducing cardiometabolic risk.
Diet Adherence: Participants maintained high adherence to the SOS-free diet both before and after the intervention.
Implications
This preliminary study suggests that prolonged water-only fasting followed by whole-plant-food refeeding can be safe and beneficial for normal-weight females. It shows potential improvements in body composition and cardiometabolic biomarkers, particularly insulin sensitivity and VAT reduction.
However, the study’s small sample size and observational nature limit the ability to generalize these findings. Larger, controlled studies are necessary to confirm these results and understand the long-term effects of such fasting protocols.
Conclusion
The findings of this study support the feasibility and potential benefits of prolonged water-only fasting followed by whole-plant-food refeeding in normal-weight females. Despite the need for further research, this intervention appears to improve certain health markers without causing significant adverse effects.
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