Time-Restricted Eating is Ineffective

health

May 13

For years, I have often been a fan of intermittent fasting as a weight loss method. I would often recommend eating all your daily calories before noon, and then fasting until the next morning when you woke up and started the cycle all over again.

However, sometimes when you get new information, and knowledge becomes a ledge from which the unknowing leap, an adjustment must be made in order to welcome new research, and a fresh understanding, into the mind of the plan in context.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported new scientific findings that appear to determine time-restricted eating — intermittent fasting — may not be any more effective in controlling weight than just counting calories throughout the day, and then stopping when the maximum caloric intake has been met.

Methods:

The primary outcome was the difference between the two groups in the change from baseline in body weight at 12 months. The secondary outcomes included changes in waist circumference, body fat, body lean mass, and metabolic risk factors, including levels of plasma glucose, insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and blood pressure. The body fat mass and lean mass were quantified with the use of a whole-body dual radiography system (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare). Area measurements of the abdominal visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were obtained by means of computed tomography (Revolution, GE Healthcare) at the level of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. We assessed liver fat with transient elastography (FibroScan 502 Touch, Echosens). Metabolic risk factors were measured with the use of standard methods over 12 months, and insulin-resistance status was measured with the use of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA–IR). The insulin-disposition index (a measure of pancreatic beta-cell function) was estimated as the change in insulin level divided by the change in glucose level from 0 to 30 minutes after administration of a glucose product. Quality of life was measured according to the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12).

Results and Conclusions

Of the total 139 participants who underwent randomization, 118 (84.9%) completed the 12-month follow-up visit. The mean weight loss from baseline at 12 months was −8.0 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], −9.6 to −6.4) in the time-restriction group and −6.3 kg (95% CI, −7.8 to −4.7) in the daily-calorie-restriction group. Changes in weight were not significantly different in the two groups at the 12-month assessment (net difference, −1.8 kg; 95% CI, −4.0 to 0.4; P=0.11). Results of analyses of waist circumferences, BMI, body fat, body lean mass, blood pressure, and metabolic risk factors were consistent with the results of the primary outcome. In addition, there were no substantial differences between the groups in the numbers of adverse events.
Among patients with obesity, a regimen of time-restricted eating was not more beneficial with regard to reduction in body weight, body fat, or metabolic risk factors than daily calorie restriction.

That is a big, and resounding — WOWSER! — and I feel as if my cardio life, and caloric intake, have taken a new hit in reasoning, and acknowledgment. I admit it is certainly less stressful to just set a caloric max for the day – grazing, if you will – instead of just ending your eating at a predetermined interval; and so I am delighted to try this new step in the ongoing journey of finding the best pathways to better health.