Alternate day fasting (ADF) with a high fat background diet produces similar weight loss and cardio‐protection when compared to ADF with a low fat background diet

Background Alternate day fasting (ADF) with a low‐fat (LF) background diet facilitates weight loss and is cardio‐protective in obese individuals. Whether these beneficial effects can be reproduced by a high‐fat (HF) ADF diet is not known. Objective This study examined the effects of an ADF‐HF versus ADF‐LF diet on body weight, body composition and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in obese humans. Methods Thirty‐three obese subjects were randomized to an ADF‐HF or ADF‐LF diet for 10 weeks. All food was provided during the study. Results Body weight was reduced (P < 0.0001) by 4.9%, and 4.2% in the ADF‐HF and ADFLF group, respectively. Waist circumference decreased (P < 0.0001) by 7.6%, and 7.5% in the ADF‐HF and ADF‐LF groups, respectively. LDL cholesterol was reduced (P < 0.0001) by 19.1%, and 24.8%, whereas triglycerides were lowered (P = .0001) by 13.3% and 14.3%, in the ADF‐HF and ADF‐LF group, respectively. There were no changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Conclusion These findings suggest that an ADF‐HF diet is equally as effective as an ADF‐LF diet in helping obese subjects lose weight and improve CVD risk factors.