Jorge Velasquez

ENG 1302-231

Dr. Sharity Nelson

9 February 2024

Intermittent Fasting: An Annotated Bibliography

Agagunduz, Duygu, et al. “Effect of Intermittent Fasting (18/6) on Energy Expenditure,

Nutritional Status, and Body Composition in Healthy Adults.” Hindawi, 2021, pp. 1-10.

Gale onefile, doi 10.1155/2021/7809611.

Duygu Agagunduz, et al. conduct a study on how intermittent fasting affects energy

expenditure, nutrition and body composition on healthy adults (1). This was done to see how

fasting during Ramadan positively or negatively affects the body. Twenty-seven healthy adults,

sixteen females and eleven males were selected for the study. Intermittent fasting is defined “as

the nutrition type, which causes a decrease in daily total energy intake (50–100%) due to food

intake restriction in full or partial (e.g., 16–48 h) at certain times of the day, 1–3 times a week, or

prolonged night time” (Agagunduz, et al, 1). According to Agagunduz, et al. fasting means

avoiding food intake for a certain amount of time, weather for religious or spiritual traditions or

for health issues (2) For all participants the fasting period was eighteen hours per day. This study

was conducted on twenty-seven Turkish nationals for a period of twenty-eight days. A baseline

was acquired prior to the study to compare after the fasting period. Visual and analytical methods

were used to evaluated the convenience of the data to normal distribution. At the end of the

twenty-eight days the data was analyzed yielding results. Agagunduz, et al. concluded that

intermittent fasting during Ramadan can have undesirable decrease in resting energy expenditure
 Velasquez 2

(9). He also added it can alter BMI and body composition, specially in fat free mass and

hydration status (9). No significant effects on dietary energy and nutrients were determined. No

significant evidence was found suggesting intermittent fasting was beneficial or unbeneficial.

Agagunduz and his partners agree that a larger group with more physical activity is of interest in

a future study (9).

Dias De Silva, Ronaldo, et al. “Intermittent Fasting Promotes Weight Loss without Decreasing

Performance in Taekwondo.” MDPI Nutrients, Vol 15 3131, 2023, pp. 1-12. Gale onefile,

doi 10.3390/nu15143131

Silva, et al. conduct a study on the effects intermittent fasting (IF) has on taekwondo

athletes. Combat sport athletes such as taekwondo have various ways to cut weight fast in

preparation for a match. These methods can include: water restriction, use of laxatives,

immersion in hot water baths, sauna sessions and performing exercises in heavy clothing or

plastic suit (Silva, et al. 1). However, these methods can be detrimental to the athlete’s

performance. Negative effects such as muscle mass reduction, decreased endurance, impaired

judgment, mood alteration among others lead these athletes to adopt nutrition strategies such as

intermittent fasting to help them meet their body mass index they desire (Silva, et al. 1). The

study was conducted to test weather IF can lead to weight loss without diminishing performance.

Nine taekwondo athletes, seven males and two females will conduct IF for twelve hours while

still training for a determined amount of time. They will be examined for a period of six weeks.

The results showed that total body mass (TBM) was reduced during the first two weeks of IF

without reducing performance. After this period there was no significant change in TBM and

performance (Silva, et al. 8). Silva et al. show that in the study, the lower TBM in the first two

weeks corroborates the efficiency of fasting in a short-term intervention. However, in longer

 Velasquez 3

periods IF would negatively impact performance (8). Silva, et al. concluded If with twelve-hour

time-restricted feedings can promote lower TBM in the first two weeks, stabilizing in the third

and fourth week, however, no significant benefits were observed relating to lower TBM and

performance after this time period (10).

Guo, Mingke, et al “Intermittent Fasting on Neurologic Diseases: Potentioal role of Gut

Microbiota, “MDPI Nutrients” Vol 15, Issue 4915, 2023, pp. 1-27. Gale General Onefile

With few side effects, intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary pattern that is becoming more

popular and advised, has shown promise in enhancing neurophysiological processes and

reducing pathological damage. While the exact processes behind IF's advantageous benefits

remain unclear, gut microbiota and its metabolites are thought to play a key role in mediating

these effects (Guo, et al. 1). Guo, et al. will examine shifts in gut microbiota and metabolite

profiles prompted by IF and how they can affect neural health (1). It will also highlight how diets

can be used in neurological conditions. If is economically feasible and is very popular over other

dietary interventions. Recent scientific insight suggest microbial communities could significantly

influence various neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease,

autism, multiple sclerosis and stroke (Guo, et al. 2). The synthesis of metabolites and the

composition of the intestinal microbiota have changed as a result of IF, which has an impact on

the peripheral nervous system and the integrity of the intestinal barrier. These changes may have

an impact on physiological and psychopathological processes, even in people who don't have any

underlying medical conditions (Guo, et al.18).

Guerrero-Enriquez, Andrea, et al. “Effectiveness of an intermittent fasting diet versus continuous

energy restriction on anthropometric measurements, body composition and lipid profile in

 Velasquez 4

overweight and obese adults: a meta-analysis.” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

(2021) 75:1024–1039, pp. 1024-1039. Gale Onefile, doi 0.1038/s41430-020-00821-1.

In contrast to continuous energy restriction (CER), this study assessed how well an

intermittent fasting (IF) diet reduced anthropometric parameters (body mass index, body weight,

and waist circumference), altered body composition (fat mass, lean body mass, and muscle

mass), and altered lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides) (Guerrero,

et al. 1024). It also examined how well an IF diet was adhered to by overweight or obese adults.

After doing a literature search, 859 studies were found; ultimately, 18 publications were chosen.

When compared to a CER regimen, IF diets were linked to greater weight loss overall in four

studies and a similar reduction in waist circumference in one study. In five studies, there was a

tendency for the IF groups' fat mass to decline more (Guerrero, et al. 1024). Nonetheless, there

was comparable loss of muscle and lean mass in both groups. Lipid profile variables showed

substantial differences in only three studies, primarily in the IF groups(Guerrero, et al. 1024).

Dietary adherence yielded conflicting results. An IF diet, like a CER diet, may help the

overweight or obese adult population by improving anthropometry, body composition, and lipid

profile (Guerrero, et al. 1024).

Hammouri, Walid, et al. “The Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Some Physical Fitness Elements

among Sport Science Students.” Journal of Exercise Physiology, Vol 26 #4 2023, pp.

174-180. Gale Onefile, ISSN 1097-9751

This study aims to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on elements of

physical fitness in college students at the university of Jordan. Summarize the article here, using

proper citations. Thirteen male students volunteered for the study that took place during the final

week of Ramadan for a period of five days. The test was then conducted again for another five
 Velasquez 5

days after without fasting. Hammouri, et al. observed the students conduct five exercises

consisting of, Push-ups, sit-ups, seat and reach, shuttle run and one mile run (177). The data

shows a table with the results for each exercise while fasting and not fasting. The test showed

that there was no significant difference in performance for all test with the exception of the

shuttle run (Hammouri, et al. 179). The shuttle run test showed that students had a better

performance while not fasting. However, the results were not significant enough to scientifically

acknowledge a difference (Hammouri, et al. 179). Hammouri, et al. concluded that there were no

significant differences between fasting and non-fasting in strength, muscular endurance,

flexibility and cardio respiratory fitness (180).

Marcedo De Moraes, Carlos, et al. “Effects of intermittent fasting and chronic swimming

exercise on body composition and lipid metabolism.” NRC Research Press, Vol 42, 2017,

pp. 1341-1346. Gale Onefile, doi, 10.1139/apnm-2017-0435

The aim of this study was to show how intermittent fasting protocol (IFP) can have

effects on body composition and lipid metabolism. The study was conducted on 20-week-old

Wistar rats and was divided into four different groups (Moraes, et al. 1341). Control (CON) ad

libitum and sedentary, exercise (EX) ad libitum and endurance training, intermittent fasting (IF)

and sedentary, and intermittent fasting and exercise (IFEX) (Moraes, et al. 1342). Endurance

exercises consisting of swimming were performed for five sessions per week, for six weeks.

Every session consisted of forty minutes of swimming in water at constant temperature. IF was

performed continuously for six weeks for eighteen hours per day. All data was transcribed into

graphs and tables displaying the findings. Moraes, et al. discovered that the combination of IF

and moderate aerobic exercise is capable of modifying lipid metabolism and it is able to promote

changes in body composition (1346). Furthermore, the body weight of IF and IFEX rats
 Velasquez 6

decreased without changes in food the IFEX rats showed increase in total high-density

lipoprotein cholesterol and increased intramuscular lipid content (1342). Moraes, et al. noted that

IFP combined with endurance training is efficient at decreasing body mass and altering fat

metabolism, without producing losses in the content of proteins (1342).

Pieper, Claudia, et al. “InterVFast—effectiveness and acceptance of intermittent fasting

in cardiac rehabilitation patients: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.” BMC,

2024, pp. 1-9. Gale onefile, doi 10.1186/s13063-023-07843-7

This study protocol aims to show the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) in cardiac

rehabilitation patients. Cardiac inpatient rehabilitation follows a multidisciplinary approach that

include changes in patients’ health behaviors to reduce future cardiovascular issues (Pieper, et al.

1). This study is conducted in the center for cardiovascular rehabilitation in North Rhine-

Westphalia, Germany. The intervention consists of IF sixteen hours without eating and an eight-

hour eating period. The first outcome of the study is to note the difference in weight loss between

baseline and end of rehabilitation after four weeks. Secondary outcome is the difference in

weight loss between baseline and three and twelve months after inpatient rehabilitation, changes

in blood pressure, fasting blood, glucose and lipids as well as diet acceptance by the patients

(Pieper, et al. 6). The trial is still ongoing with the first part of the trial complete. Researchers are

hopeful that if proven effective, the findings in this study could strengthen the idea that IF may

be a practical intervention in the near future.

Ristyadi, Dwi, et al. “Resource allocation strategies for survival and reproduction by an invasive

pest in response to intermittent fasting.” Current Zoology, 2022, pp. 600-606. Oxford, doi

10.1093/cz/zoac068
 Velasquez 7

In the course of biological invasions, regular fasting is typical. However, it is unclear how

invasive animals modify their resource allocations for reproduction and survival in the event of

occasional famine. Here, Ristyadi, et al. examined the impact of intermittent fasting (IF) on the

life cycle strategies of Tetranychus ludeni, a haplodiploid spider mite that is a significant global

invasive pest of horticulture crops (600). Ristyadi, et al, established a breeding colony of

Tetranychus ludeni placed on about twenty potted kidney bean plants in Massey University in

North New Zealand (601). In order to determine the effects of IF on the reproduction and

lifespan of the T. ludeni spiders they were treated with three different IF durations: control,

twenty-four hour and forty-eight hours, yielding twelve treatments in total. IF for forty-eight

hours prolonged the longevity of females, however, there were no significant impact on male

spiders (Ristvadi, et al. 602). Results showed that IF during the first half of T. ludeni adult life

increased female longevity by fifteen to thirty nine percent regardless of mating status. The

opposite occurred in male spiders, their lifespan shortened during IF (Ristvadi, et al. 602).

Ye, Ya-Fei, et al. “Is Intermittent Fasting Better Than Continuous Energy Restriction for Adults

with Overweight and Obesity?” Dovepress, 2022, pp. 2813-2823. Gale onefile

In this study Ye, et al. describe different ways and implementation protocols of

intermittent fasting (IF) and the effects it can have on body weight, body composition,

cardiometabolic risk factors and other diseases (2813). Ye, et al. start by stating how obesity has

become a global heath issue and how China has the highest number of adults with overweight

and obesity at 600 million (2813). IF has been widely applied for management of weight and

treatment with obesity. Ye, et al. note that IF works best when combined with other interventions

such as exercise, meal replacement and psychological intervention (2821). According to Ye, et al.

IF is an effective nonpharmacologic therapy for weight loss that can lower body weight and
 Velasquez 8

improve body composition in total body fat, abdominal fat and lean body mass. (2822).

Additionally, it can decrease indices such as blood glucose, lipids, insulin sensitivity, and

cardiovascular metabolism in adults with overweight and obesity.

Zhongbiao, Nie, et al. “Effects of time-restricted eating with different eating windows on human

metabolic health: pooled analysis of existing cohorts.” Diabetology and Metabolic

Syndrome, 2023, pp. 1-13. Gale Onefile, doi 10.1186/s13098-023-01190-y

Long-term dietary patterns influence metabolic health. More recently, it has been

demonstrated that fasting regimens like calorie restriction and intermittent fasting (IF) lower

body mass, blood pressure (BP), inflammation, and serum insulin concentration while improving

insulin sensitivity and the lipid profile and lowering the risk of metabolic disease (Zhongbiao, et

al. 2). This study comprised 1531 participants form America, Europe and Asia. In this study the

potential benefits of time restricted eating (TRE) were assessed. No distinct metabolic benefits

were found associated with different eating windows. Therefore, the findings suggest that

different meal times can have comparable positive effects on metabolic markers (Zhongbiao, et

al.8). After analyzing data from TRE trials with different eating windows, the study concluded

that different meal windows had comparable benefits on improving metabolic health, such as

lowering fasting insulin and body weight reduction (Zhongbiao, et al.8). Consequently, the

findings imply that different eating times can have comparable advantages for metabolic markers

such blood lactate Therefore, the findings suggest that different meal times can have comparable

positive effects on metabolic markers (Zhongbiao, et al.8).

Velasquez 9