UK Programme on fasting

did the program mention any long term effects of intermittent fasting? it may lose weight quickly but i'd want to know what effect it had on my hormine balance in the long run before considering it!

the programme was about longevity and the effects that calorie restriction and fasting could have on the production of IGF-1. I recoomend trying to get hold of it if possible if you want to know more. It wasn't really about weight loss, that was just a side-effect.

@ I am asking about lean mass -


It is the whole flow of that quote, not you in particular. But if you missed the point, it was about aging not dieting and not about answering questions about lean mass, that was not the data being explored. So, ask questions about IGF-1 and fasting.

She asked a valid question. You don't get to decide what questions get to be asked.

I don't know whether he lost lean mass or not.

But if you check his twitter feed a bunch of people have asked the same questions as here.

https://twitter.com/DrMichaelMosley


I was interested in why his wife, a GP, although impressed with the results, didn't seem interested in doing it herself.

Krista Varady who was in the programe was involved in http://www.ajcn.org/content/90/5/1138.long a study of alternate day fasting.

That paper reported that " Fat mass decreased (P < 0.01) by 5.4 ± 0.8 kg after 8 wk of diet, whereas changes in fat-free mass were not significant (−0.1 ± 0.1 kg). "

The diet intervention used was "All subjects consumed 25% of their baseline energy needs on the “fast” day (24 h) and then consumed food ad libitum on each alternate “feed” day (24 h)." So the "fast" is actually a 75% calorie reduction.

On the "fast" days they ate 25-30g protein only, 450 calories. http://www.ajcn.org/content/90/5/1138/T1.expansion.html

On his Twitter feed the presenter says that exercise isn't helpful to IGF-1 reduction.

ETA For clarity, the paper above is for illustration and to anwer the lean body mass question, it isn't directly related to the TV programme other than through its lead author appearing.

Krista Varady who was in the programe was involved in http://www.ajcn.org/content/90/5/1138.long a study of alternate day fasting.

That paper reported that " Fat mass decreased (P < 0.01) by 5.4 ± 0.8 kg after 8 wk of diet, whereas changes in fat-free mass were not significant (−0.1 ± 0.1 kg). "

The diet intervention used was "All subjects consumed 25% of their baseline energy needs on the “fast” day (24 h) and then consumed food ad libitum on each alternate “feed” day (24 h)." So the "fast" is actually a 75% calorie reduction.

On the "fast" days they ate 25-30g protein only, 450 calories. http://www.ajcn.org/content/90/5/1138/T1.expansion.html

On his Twitter feed the presenter says that exercise isn't helpful to IGF-1 reduction.

ETA For clarity, the paper above is for illustration and to anwer the lean body mass question, it isn't directly related to the TV programme other than through its lead author appearing.

Great stuff, I deduced that exercise was unhelpful. Like losing fat free mass, muscle mass, not the right conditions created, like starving or disease.

Cool. Thanks for the info

I've not watched the programme yet (hoping to catch up with it in the next day or 2) but was just interested in whether they looked at the benefits of IF on people with memory problems, early signs of dementia type illnesses etc???

Kay

Saw the show. I am wondering if you want to maintain weight but lose body fat would fasting be a good idea? He lost loads of fat in 5 weeks.

Haven't seen it, looking forward to watching though!

I started intermittent fasting almost two months ago and I loved it! I had more energy than normal and could keep up with my family's eating habits (they're big eaters). I committed myself to the Leangains fasting times so I fasted for 16 hours (7-8 of which I slept for) and ate for 8. It was brilliant. Very easy to follow, and I recommend it to anyone who believes their lifestyle doesn't fit the breakfast-lunch-dinner lifestyle. (=

I didn't see the programme, although i'll see if it's available on watch again, sounds intersting - I just read a book by Dr John Briffa called 'Escape the diet trap' and he has a chapter in his book advocating intermittent fasting. He also recommends reducing carbohydrates, cutting out grains and eating nuts, meat and vegetables and no processed crap.

This sounds like "calorie cycling". I read up on it and I hear it's a pretty good way to break a plateau.

Calorie cycling isn't the same thing, but most people who follow IF also cycle calories. Basically, what calorie cycling means is that you don't track exercise calories; you just eat a pre-determined amount depending on whether it's a training day or a rest day. Particularly useful for people who are strength training and want to be able to build muscle while still digging into fat reserves. Eat a deficit on rest days, and a slight surplus on training days, and whittle away.

What I find really interesting is how a television audience can watch a TV programme and yet take away such mixed messages. As I saw it the programme dealt with three issues; a restricted calorie diet based largely on fruit and veg; an alternate day diet fasting one day and eating ' normaly the next; a variant of this with a restricted 600 calorie for men and 500 calories for women for two consecutive days followed by five days of eating a healthy balanced diet. Dr Molesly did add a caveat that this approach may not work for everyone and that fasting should not be undertaken without medical advice. He also said that much more research would be needed but that the approach showed the most promise for his situation. I plan to watch the programme again if only to test the accuracy of my recall ability. Has anyone else been puzzled by the number of people showing a desire to adopt a similar approach without seeking validation of the claims made in the programme. References were given for the academics appearing in the programme as well as the universities where the studies took place. How many people will follow this up before trying to adopt such a course of action. I'm not seeking to be controversial, just puzzled. Just for the record I found the programme interesting and thought provoking. Dr Molsley is an excellent presenter.

Fasting is safe, people have been doing it forever, now it just looks like we know the reason why, it's good for us. Besides, I'd bet most people won't keep it up anyway for the same reason...it's good for us. :bigsmile:

What I find really interesting is how a television audience can watch a TV programme and yet take away such mixed messages. As I saw it the programme dealt with three issues; a restricted calorie diet based largely on fruit and veg; an alternate day diet fasting one day and eating ' normaly the next; a variant of this with a restricted 600 calorie for men and 500 calories for women for two consecutive days followed by five days of eating a healthy balanced diet. Dr Molesly did add a caveat that this approach may not work for everyone and that fasting should not be undertaken without medical advice. He also said that much more research would be needed but that the approach showed the most promise for his situation. I plan to watch the programme again if only to test the accuracy of my recall ability. Has anyone else been puzzled by the number of people showing a desire to adopt a similar approach without seeking validation of the claims made in the programme. References were given for the academics appearing in the programme as well as the universities where the studies took place. How many people will follow this up before trying to adopt such a course of action. I'm not seeking to be controversial, just puzzled. Just for the record I found the programme interesting and thought provoking. Dr Molsley is an excellent presenter.

I have been on the if boards on here and done a fair bit of research other than just the programme.

In saw the programme was a bit wushu washy but my hubby is a personal trainer & reads slots of science studies from valued places! Iv been intermittent fasting for 4 weeks iday of 24 hrs! Feel so much better! Iv cut all sugar , processed foods , dairy , wheat , alcohol! So days in eat it's lean proteins, veg , berries, apples, salad! 4-5 ltr water , nuts seeds, lost 11 inches & 9 lb in 4 weeks ! Total 84 lb now!! Going to up to x2 days a week fasting!