American Heart Association: "168 fasting" increases the risk of cardiovascular death by 90%! Experts advise "two types of people" not to try it easily
“Intermittent fasting” is easy to implement and has a simple concept, so it is widely favored by many people who lose weight. However, the weight loss benefits of intermittent fasting methods including “168 Fasting” are still controversial. Now the “EPI | 2024 Lifestyle Science Conference” organized by the American Heart Association (AHA) has released a study showing that people who fast for 168 days may have a higher risk of death and cardiovascular disease than those who do not eat.
Is intermittent fasting potentially fatal? American Heart Association: Cardiovascular mortality surges 91%
The research team used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to analyze the health status of a total of 20,078 adults. During the analysis period from 2003 to 2018, subjects were followed for a median of 8 years and a maximum of 17 years. Participants were at least 20 years old when they entered the study and completed two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires within the first year of the study.
After comparing and analyzing the death toll provided by the U.S. CDC, the research team found that subjects who ate all meals of the day within 8 hours a day were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who ate for 12-16 hours a day. The risk increased significantly by 91%. In addition, subjects with pre-existing heart disease or cancer were also found to have an increased risk of cardiovascular death after taking 168 fasting.
The study also pointed out that among people with cardiovascular disease, eating for no less than 8 hours but less than 10 hours a day was associated with a 66% increased risk of death from heart disease or stroke. In this study, the time-restricted eating strategy did not reduce the overall risk of death from any cause; notably, cancer patients who consumed more than 16 hours a day eating were associated with a lower risk of cancer death.
Is there controversy over the weight loss effect of using “168 Fasting”? Experts advise “two types of people” not to try it easily
“We were surprised by the findings. Time-restricted diets, such as 168 Fasting, are popular for their potential short-term benefits, but the findings show that shorter eating periods are less effective than the typical eating window of 12-16 hours per day. Time has nothing to do with extending life and may even harm life expectancy!” said Professor Zhong Wenze, the lead author of the study and an epidemiologist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.
Professor Zhong Wenze emphasized that the research results show that although time-restricted eating is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease or expected death, it cannot prove a causal relationship between the two. In addition, this trial is an observational study and relies on the subjects’ dietary memories and eating habits, so the results of the study may be variable. “Whether taking 168 days of fasting means a result of cardiovascular death, it is not yet certain whether this link exists.”
Professor Zhong Wenze believes that patients with cardiovascular disease or cancer should not try various fasting or dieting methods. “The medical side recommends a more cautious and personalized approach to the patient’s diet to ensure that it is consistent with the patient’s diet.” health status and is consistent with the latest medical clinical evidence."
168 fasting method “myth busted”? Study says: Weight loss is not as effective as “calorie restriction”
In fact, the American Heart Association released a study as early as last year, stating that the weight loss benefits of intermittent fasting and “calorie restriction diets” are “similar.” The study was conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University in the United States. 550 subjects were recruited to participate in the trial. After 6 years of data collection and analysis, the research team found that the difference in eating time had “nothing to do” with weight changes; This applies to the first meal, the first meal to the last meal, and the last meal to bedtime.
The study did not find a correlation between weight changes and eating time in those with drastic weight changes. During the 6-year follow-up, those who consumed 500-1,000 kcal per meal, or even more than 1,000 kcal, were associated with overall weight gain, while those who consumed less than 500 kcal per meal were significantly related to weight loss. The research team believes that compared with the interval, the “frequency” and “portion” of eating are more likely to determine the success or failure of weight loss.
Wendy L. Bennett, senior author of the study and associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, pointed out that although time-restricted eating methods are widely popular among people who lose weight, the academic community has long been unable to determine the effectiveness of time-restricted drinking methods on weight loss. For example, a previous study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) confirmed that people who adopted time-restricted diets did not lose more weight; and the changes in physiological values such as visceral fat and blood sugar were no different from those in normal people. .
Harvard Medical School in the United States reminds that instead of pursuing shortening of eating time, modern people are more important to maintain a balanced diet and eat more whole grains, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables, which is not only beneficial to weight control but also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. It should be noted that it is not recommended to pursue too rapid weight loss. Losing 0.5-1 kg per week has a better chance of sustained weight loss and reducing weight gain.
In addition, if you have chronic diseases such as diabetes, or are taking blood pressure medications or heart medications, restricting calories or fasting may be dangerous, as it may cause an imbalance of sodium, potassium and other body fluids in the body, leading to cardiovascular accidents. The above-mentioned groups must consult professional doctors and nutritionists before implementing dietary control.
Source:
8-hour time-restricted eating linked to a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death
Association of Eating and Sleeping Intervals With Weight Change Over Time: The Daily24 Cohort
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