Effects of orthodox religious fasting versus combined energy and time restricted eating on body weight, lipid concentrations and glycaemic profile

Abstract

For seven weeks, 37 overweight adults followed a hypocaloric diet based on Orthodox Fasting (OF). A hypocaloric, time restricted eating (TRE) plan (eating between 08:00 to 16:00 h, water fasting from 16:00 to 08:00 h) was followed by 23 Body Mass Index (BMI)-matched participants. Anthropometric, glycaemic and inflammation markers and serum lipids were assessed before and after the diets. Both OF and TRE groups demonstrated reductions in BMI (28.54 ± 5.45 vs 27.20 ± 5.10 kg/m², p < 0.001 and 26.40 ± 4.11 vs 25.81 ± 3.78 kg/m² p = 0.001, respectively). Following the intervention, the OF group presented lower concentrations of total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, compared with the pre-fasting values (178.40 ± 34.14 vs 197.17 ± 34.30 mg/dl, p < 0.001 and 105.89 ± 28.08 vs 122.37 ± 29.70 mg/dl, p < 0.001, respectively). Neither group manifested significant differences in glycaemic and inflammatory parameters. Our findings suggest that OF has superior lipid lowering effects than the TRE pattern.

Keywords:

• Orthodox fasting
• cardiometabolic markers
• lipids
• insulin resistance
• intermittent fasting
• time restricted eating

Author contributions

SNK conceptualised and designed the study. SNK, TK, LA and VA collected all data. LA designed the dietary intervention. PK, KT and KM conducted the biochemical analysis of the samples. EM and AP performed the statistical analysis. SNK, TK, HM, PZ and KK analysed and interpreted the dietary data and the biochemical results. SNK and TK performed the literature review and drafted the first version of the manuscript. All authors have read and critically revised the manuscript and approved the final version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).