Abstract

The Effects of Intermittent Fasting and Fasting-Mimicking Diet on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases

Purpose: Pre-diabetes, diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) are among the top comorbidities with numerous complications resulting in high morbidity and mortality globally. Diet is one of the aspects that greatly influence the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to conduct interventional research to assess the impact of Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Fast-Mimicking Diet (FMD) on Body Mass Index (BMI), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), and Total Cholesterol (TC) as factors of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Method: This interventional study involved 35 participants who were subjected to the interventions of IF and FMD for four weeks. Thirty-one (31) subjects completed the study and were assessed. Results: Twenty participants demonstrated a reduction in their BMI (64.5%) and 6 participants did not show any change accounting for 19.3% (p=0.05). For FBS, 20 participants had reduced fasting blood sugar (64.5%), no change for 8 participants (25.8%) and increased FBS for 5 participants (16.1%) (p=0.05). As regards total cholesterol levels, there was a significant reduction in 54.8% of the participants (n=17) with no change in 25.8% (n=8). Moreover, the total cholesterol increased in six participants (19.4%) after the four weeks (p=0.05). Conclusion: Intermittent fasting and fast-mimicking diet have a significant positive effect on body mass index; fasting blood sugar and total cholesterol thereby improving diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

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