Cardiovascular diseases can be prevented and treated by Intermittent Fasting and Caloric Restriction.
Scientific evidence:
Long-term calorie restriction is highly effective in reducing the risk for atherosclerosis in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Apr 27;101(17):6659-63. Epub 2004 Apr 19. Fontana L1, Meyer TE, Klein S, Holloszy JO.
Little is known regarding the long-term effects of caloric restriction (CR) on the risk for atherosclerosis. We evaluated the effect of CR on risk factors for atherosclerosis in individuals who are restricting food intake to slow aging. We studied 18 individuals who had been on CR for an average of 6 years and 18 age-matched healthy individuals on typical American diets. We measured serum lipids and lipoproteins, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, blood pressure (BP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), body composition, and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). The CR group were leaner than the comparison group (body mass index, 19.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 25.9 +/- 3.2 kg/m(2); percent body fat, 8.7 +/- 7% vs. 24 +/- 8%). Serum total cholesterol (Tchol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ratio of Tchol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, CRP, PDFG-AB, and systolic and diastolic BP were all markedly lower, whereas HDL-C was higher, in the CR than in the American diet group. Medical records indicated that the CR group had serum lipid-lipoprotein and BP levels in the usual range for individuals on typical American diets, and similar to those of the comparison group, before they began CR. Carotid artery IMT was approximately 40% less in the CR group than in the comparison group. Based on a range of risk factors, it appears that long-term CR has a powerful protective effect against atherosclerosis. This interpretation is supported by the finding of a low carotid artery IMT.
***
Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women Nutrition. Journal 2012, 11:98 Monica C Klempel, Cynthia M Kroeger, Surabhi Bhutani, John F Trepanowski and Krista A Varady*
Intermittent fasting (IF; severe restriction 1 d/week) facilitates weight loss and improves coronary heart disease (CHD) risk indicators. The degree to which weight loss can be enhanced if IF is combined with calorie restriction (CR) and liquid meals, remains unknown.
This study examined the effects of IF plus CR (with or without a liquid diet) on body weight, body composition, and CHD risk. Obese women (n = 54) were randomized to either the IFCR-liquid (IFCR-L) or IFCR-food based (IFCR-F) diet. The trial had two phases: 1) 2-week weight maintenance period, and 2) 8-week weight loss period.
Results:
Body weight decreased more (P = 0.04) in the IFCR-L group (3.9 ± 1.4 kg) versus the IFCR-F group (2.5 ± 0.6 kg). Fat mass decreased similarly (P < 0.0001) in the IFCR-L and IFCR-F groups (2.8 ± 1.2 kg and 1.9 ± 0.7 kg, respectively). Visceral fat was reduced (P < 0.001) by IFCR-L (0.7 ± 0.5 kg) and IFCR-F (0.3 ± 0.5 kg) diets. Reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels were greater (P = 0.04) in the IFCR-L (19 ± 10%; 20 ± 9%, respectively) versus the IFCR-F group (8 ± 3%; 7 ± 4%, respectively). LDL peak particle size increased (P < 0.01), while heart rate, glucose, insulin, and homocysteine decreased (P < 0.05), in the IFCR-L group only.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that IF combined with CR and liquid meals is an effective strategy to help obese women lose weight and lower CHD risk.
The effects of three-week fasting diet on blood pressure, lipid profile and glucoregulation in extremely obese patients
2007 Jul-aug: 135 (7-8): 440-6
INTRODUCTION: Obesity is often accompanied by a number of complications including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Elevated blood pressure and lipids, as well as deterioration of glucoregulation are attributed, as the most significant factors, to development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications in obese patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of a fasting diet on blood pressure, lipid profile and glucoregulatory parameters. METHOD: We included 110 patients (33 male and 77 female; mean age 35 +/- 1 years, body weight 131.7 +/- 2.6 kg, body mass index 45.4 +/- 0.8 kg/m2) who were hospitalized for three weeks for the treatment of extreme obesity with the fasting diet. At the beginning, during, and at the end of this period, we evaluated changes in blood pressure, lipid profile, as well as parameters of glucoregulation including glycaemia, insulinaemia, and insulin sensitivity by HOMA. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in all patients at the beginning and at the end of the fasting diet. RESULTS: During the fasting diet, the body weight decreased from 131.7 +/- 2.6 kg to 117.7 +/- 2.4 kg (p < 0.001), the body mass index decreased from 45.4 +/- 0.8 kg/m2 to 40.8 +/- 0.8 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly declined (143 +/- 2 vs. 132 +/- 2 mm Hg, p < 0.001; 92 +/- 2 vs. 85 +/- 2 mm Hg, p < 0.001). In addition, the fasting diet produced a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as basal glycaemia and insulinaemia (p < 0.001) Before the fasting diet, OGTT was normal in 76% of patients, whereas 21% of patients showed glucose intolerance, and 4% of patients diabetes mellitus. After the fasting diet, OGTT was normal in 88% of patients, whereas 12% of patients still had signs of glucose intolerance (p < 0.05). In addition, insulin resistance significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 54 +/- 6% to 89 +/- 13% after the fasting diet. CONCLUSION: The three-week fasting diet in extremely obese patients produced a significant decrease and normalization of blood pressure, decrease in lipids, and improvement in glucoregulation including the increase in insulin sensitivity.
***
Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Mar;16(3):129-37. Mattson MP, Wan R. Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Intermittent fasting (IF; reduced meal frequency) and caloric restriction (CR) extend lifespan and increase resistance to age-related diseases in rodents and monkeys and improve the health of overweight humans. Both IF and CR enhance cardiovascular and brain functions and improve several risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke including a reduction in blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity. Cardiovascular stress adaptation is improved and heart rate variability is increased in rodents maintained on an IF or a CR diet. Moreover, rodents maintained on an IF regimen exhibit increased resistance of heart and brain cells to ischemic injury in experimental models of myocardial infarction and stroke. The beneficial effects of IF and CR result from at least two mechanisms–reduced oxidative damage and increased cellular stress resistance. Recent findings suggest that some of the beneficial effects of IF on both the cardiovascular system and the brain are mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the brain. Interestingly, cellular and molecular effects of IF and CR on the cardiovascular system and the brain are similar to those of regular physical exercise, suggesting shared mechanisms. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which IF and CR affect the blood vessels and heart and brain cells will likely lead to novel preventative and therapeutic strategies for extending health span.