#NewStudy #DiabetesandMetabolicSyndrome #Fortis #HighCardiovascularRisks
Accompanying Editorial by Dr Anoop Misra Urges a Balanced View
Chandigarh: While intermittent fasting (IF) and time-restricted eating (TRE) have captured global attention as effective tools for weight loss and metabolic health, a new study by Chen et al. (“Association of eating duration less than 8 hours with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.”, Article 1, see below for weblink) in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews suggests that these regimens may not be without risks. This risk signal has been reported for the first time.
Drawing on data from more than 19,000 adults in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the researchers (Meng Chen, first author, Victor Wenze Zhong, senior and corresponding author, and others) examined the long-term health outcomes of individuals with varying daily eating durations. They found that participants who ate for less than 8 hours per day had a 135% higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (death due to heart and blood vessel diseases) compared to those with a typical 12–14-hour eating period. Although the association with overall mortality was weak and inconsistent, the cardiovascular mortality risk persisted across multiple demographic and lifestyle subgroups and in 14 different sensitivity analyses (multiple advanced testing). The study authors stress that these findings do not prove causation.
In an accompanying editorial (“Intermittent Fasting: Evidence for Benefit, Lack of Effect, or Potential Cardiometabolic Risk?”, see below for weblink) Dr. Anoop Misra highlights the pros and cons of IF research. On the benefits side, multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses show that IF can lead to weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure, and better lipid profiles, with some evidence of anti-inflammatory effects. IF may also help certain individuals achieve better blood sugar control without strict calorie counting, and it aligns well with cultural or religious fasting practices and is simple to do. However, the potential downsides include nutrient deficiencies, excessive hunger, irritability, headaches, and reduced adherence over time. In people with diabetes, unmonitored IF can trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and in older adults or those with chronic illness, prolonged fasting may worsen frailty or cause muscle loss. The Chen et al. study now adds possible cardiovascular risks — at least in some subgroups — to this list of concerns.
Another article in the same journal, by Hamzah et al., (article 2, see below for weblink) reinforces the more optimistic narrative, reporting metabolic and weight-related benefits in specific populations. This juxtaposition illustrates that IF is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that its benefits and risks may vary significantly depending on the population, the specific fasting protocol, and the context in which it is applied.
Editorial: Intermittent Fasting: Evidence for Benefit, Lack of Effect, or Potential Cardiometabolic Risk? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871402125000979?via%3Dihub
Article-1: Association of eating duration less than 8 hours with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Chen et al.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871402125000955?via%3Dihub
Article-2: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Intermittent Fasting Effects on Glycaemic: Control in Type 2 Diabetes: Subgroup Analyses and Variability: Hamzah et al.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871402125000967?via%3Dihub
Dr. Anoop Misra Editor in Chief, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews cautions: “Intermittent fasting is a promising tool in our dietary arsenal and low cost and simple too, but enthusiasm should be tempered with careful risk assessment. Until more long-term data are available, especially on hard outcomes like cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attacks), intermittent fasting should be individualized and ideally supervised, particularly for people with pre-existing health conditions, and applied for short term only.”
Senior author of the paper, Victor Wenze Zhong states.
“Our study provides the first evidence that individuals adhering to a less than 8-hour eating window were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to people who followed a typical eating window of 12-14 hours. Although our observational results are subject to residual confounding, people should be extremely cautious to adopt a short eating window for a long time (e.g., over years) to pursue cardiovascular health or longevity, which has no evidence support from human studies to date”.
Key Takeaways from Chen’s Study and Editorial by Dr Anoop Misra,
· Eating for <8 hours/day was linked to a more than two-fold higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. This alarming data needs further studies.
· The association with all-cause mortality was inconsistent and not robust.
· Intermittent fasting offers metabolic benefits in some groups but may cause harm in others, especially without supervision.
· More long-term randomized trials are needed to clarify safety and guide tailored recommendations.
About the Journal:
Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews (Elsevier) publishes peer-reviewed research and expert perspectives on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and related metabolic disorders. It is considered to be a top cited medical journal in India and south Asia.
About Fortis C-DOC Hospital Diabetes, Endocrinology & Allied Multi Specialties
Fortis C-DOC Hospital is a 23-bed facility spread over an area of 20,000 square feet at Delhi’s Chirag Enclave. The hospital has been in operation since January 2012 and has emerged as one its kind hospital in North India providing comprehensive treatment, care and management for diabetes, metabolic diseases and endocrine disorders. The hospital is equipped with luxurious rooms, 2 operating suites, advanced centre for diabetic foot and wound care, scientific weight loss and weight management, bariatric and minimal access surgery, insulin pump, total knee /hip replacement surgery, diabetic eye lab and dialysis lab, round the clock diagnostic lab, radiology and pharmacy services. A dedicated team of top medical experts follow globally accepted protocols supported by state-of-the-art technology, with internationally acclaimed Padma awardee and Dr. B. C. Roy awardee–Prof. Anoop Misra, a diabetes expert and researcher.
