Metabolic Effects of Intermittent Fasting
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The objective of this review is to provide an overview of intermittent fasting regimens, summarize the evidence on the health benefits of intermittent fasting, and discuss physiological mechanisms by which intermittent fasting might lead to improved health outcomes. A MEDLINE search was performed using PubMed and the terms “intermittent fasting,” “fasting,” “time-restricted feeding,” and “food timing.” Modified fasting regimens appear to promote weight loss and may improve metabolic health. Several lines of evidence also support the hypothesis that eating patterns that reduce or eliminate nighttime eating and prolong nightly fasting intervals may result in sustained improvements in human health. Intermittent fasting regimens are hypothesized to influence metabolic regulation via effects on (a) circadian biology, (b) the gut microbiome, and (c) modifiable lifestyle behaviors, such as sleep. If proven to be efficacious, these eating regimens offer promising nonpharmacological approaches to improving health at the population level, with multiple public health benefits.
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Fasting upregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and its coactivator PGC-1α, which may enhance hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reduce triglyceride accumulation, suppressing VLDL-C synthesis and lowering circulating LDL-C.
“Mechanistically, fasting upregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and its coactivator PGC-1α, which may enhance hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reduce triglyceride accumulation. This process suppresses very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) synthesis, thereby lowering circulating LDL-C levels (28, 40).”
From Intermittent fasting versus continuous energy restriction in MASLD: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2026) · cites this paper as [40]
Fasting can reprogram metabolic derangements to inhibit cancer growth.
“However, fasting could reprogram metabolic derangements to inhibit cancer growth8,29–31.”
From RETRACTED ARTICLE: Fasting inhibits aerobic glycolysis and proliferation in colorectal cancer via the Fdft1-mediated AKT/mTOR/HIF1α pathway suppression (2020) · cites this paper as [30]
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References 122 · Cited by 810
- Authors
- Patterson, R. E., & Sears, D. D.
- Affiliations
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Venue
- Annual Review of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2017-08-21
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 371-393
- ISSN
- 0199-9885 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-4312
- OpenAlex
- W2527551486
- Cited by
- 810
- References
- 122
- Citations by year
- 2026: 62 · 2025: 115 · 2024: 134 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 129 · 2021: 98 · 2020: 96 · 2019: 57 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 5.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Locations
- Annual Review of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Cancer Institute (U54CA155435)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
- Keywords
- intermittent fasting, time-restricted feeding, meal timing, weight loss, metabolic health, circadian biology, gut microbiota, sleep, lifestyle habits, non-pharmacological treatment, health benefits
- MeSH terms
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Fasting, Female, Humans, Male, Sleep
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