Fasting for Weight Loss?

There is a growing trend of people fasting claiming that it helps with weight loss, but is it really true?  Let's talk about it!

First of all, depending on your health status fasting can be quite dangerous.  The prolonged caloric restriction can lead to health problems and even death.  Plus, those who are growing and in need of calories could possibly develop eating disorders.

There have been studies where on some days people ate around 700 calories, or 35% of their normal caloric intake on fasting days.  Keep in mind that was only on 5 days of the month. After 3 months, those participants were compared to a control group who ate normally.  Those who fasted did show a decrease risk in factors leading to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

In another study, obese subjects over 6 months followed 2 days of fasting and 5 days of regular caloric intake with a "standard weight-loss diet".  The 2 fasting days totaled 600 calories.  They too wound up with a similar weight loss of 13 pounds, and improved bio-markers.

The question is, should you follow a fasting diet?  It would appear the answer is individualized and points to this - you will be successful in whatever you can follow for the long term.  Otherwise, you will likely bounce right back.

Reference:  Fooducate, Is Fasting Effective for Weight Loss?, http://www.fooducate.com/app#!page=post&id=57FC7E52-468D-EF40-46D3-8205F374340A