Intermittent fasting kills?
A new research, presented at a scientific session by the American Heart Association, will change dieting for millions.
Here’s what you need to know.
Research shows that restricting daily eating to 8 hours or fewer is linked to a 91% higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. 1
The risk spikes to an alarming 107% for those already battling heart conditions!
The study particularly mentions a popular 16:8 eating diet, where you have an 8-hour window to eat and then fast for the remaining 16 hours.
Is this study reliable? Well, decide for yourself:
→ the research analyzed over 20,000 U.S. adults, average age 49,
→ participants were tracked for an average of 8 years and up to 17 years,
→ the participant group was gender-balanced, with nearly equal numbers of men and women,
→ the study was a collaborative effort among 9 scientists across 5 universities in the US and China.
“We were surprised to find that people who followed an 8-hour eating schedule were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
Even though this type of diet has been popular due to its potential short-term benefits, our research clearly shows that a shorter eating duration was not associated with living longer,” shared senior study author Victor Wenze Zhong, PhD, a professor and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics.
The study didn’t limit its scope to just the 16:8 diet.
It also examined other fasting schedules.
For instance, an eating window of 8-10 hours was linked to a 25% higher risk of heart-related death — jumping to 66% for heart patients.
So, let’s sum up what this new study means for those who want to lose weight through any time-restricted diet:
| While intermittent fasting can give you some short-term weight loss results, in the long run, you’re exposing yourself to an almost 2 times higher risk of death from heart disease or stroke. If you already have some cardiovascular issues, the risk can go up to as high as 3 times. |
“Another thing about fasting is that it may not be the most efficient way to lose weight, actually,” adds Dr. Alexander Ford, a clinical research scientist specializing in diet and metabolism.
In addition to that, Dr. Alexander Ford, a clinical research scientist specializing in diet and metabolism, points out an intriguing alternative perspective:
“Fasting might not be the most effective method for weight loss, after all.”
The paradox of fasting (and what may help instead)
Fasting may be a bit counterintuitive.
At first glance, it looks reasonable.
You don’t eat → you lose weight.
But our bodies are one of the most complex systems in the world.
So the truth is that skipping meals or drastically reducing your calorie intake can make it harder to lose weight in the long run. 2
“This is because when you skip meals, your body goes into a state of preservation, increasing fat-storing enzymes and decreasing metabolism.
This means that when you eat, your body may store more calories as fat instead of using them for energy.
Simply because it’s afraid it will be in deficit again, so it’s better to have more ‘savings’ for that case,” explains Dr. Ford.
This can lead to weight gain, even if you are consuming fewer calories overall. 3
Additionally, skipping meals can lead to an increase in hunger hormones, such as ghrelin, which can increase your appetite and cause you to overeat when you do eat. 4
That’s why while fasting might seem like a quick fix, it can actually complicate your weight management efforts.
When talking about efficient weight loss strategies, Dr. Alexander Ford underlines that it’s more important to take into account your own comfort rather than solution effectiveness.
“Dozens of studies we’ve done show that it’s possible to lose weight in many different ways.
Various diets, exercising, lifestyle changes — any of it may work for someone looking to shed some pounds. 5
But then there are problems and inconveniences that come with each solution and drag people off the road.
So that’s what you should target in the first place,” concludes Dr. Alexander Ford.
Luckily, a group of experts found a way to make weight loss easy and enjoyable for anyone
To tackle the challenges of classic weight loss solutions, a group of dietitians, coaches, and clinical nutritionists ran a big survey in the US.
First, they identified key weight management challenges people have.
And here’s where it gets intriguing.
It turns out that common weight loss solutions often overlook the real struggles people face, making them quit before getting the desired results.
Or even if they do help, they don’t show how to maintain those results.
Addressing these gaps, the team developed strategies to overcome these obstacles, using what they call a “rather than” approach. For example:
- Since everyday life often gets in the way, it’s better to introduce small but efficient changes rather than a dramatic lifestyle transformation.
- If someone’s craving junk food, it’s better to swap it with healthy yet tasty alternatives rather than prohibit snacking.
Eventually, they turned their learnings into a personalized weight loss program known as Perfect Body.
It turned out to work perfectly for many people who…
… usually lack commitment and slip off easily.
… have a busy life and find it difficult to fit in any big changes.
… have a limited budget.
… struggle to maintain their weight loss results and easily gain lost pounds back.
What makes Perfect Body’s approach stand out is that it makes weight loss easy, enjoyable, and accessible.
Here’s how it works.
- “I’ve been told that at my age there’s not much you can do about weight, just accept it. I’m also a picky eater and didn’t want to cook separately for me and my husband. But I don’t have to! Their recipes are so tasty and easy that my whole family loves them!” – Claudia, 73.
The diet you’d actually like
Perfect Body is a personalized weight loss program with a focus on meal plans.
Personalized is a key here.
It takes into account your age, lifestyle, activity levels, goals (weight loss or muscle gain), and even food preferences.
From there, it crafts a meal plan that you’d really like to follow.
This customization makes Perfect Body an ideal choice for anyone, no matter whether you’re 20 or 70, following any specific diet, working out or not.
Everyone receives a plan that suits their unique needs!
But there’s more.
The whole meal database (and now it’s over 1000 recipes) is packed with quick & easy recipes that won’t add kitchen mess and much time to your schedule.
The average preparation time is just 10 to 20 minutes.
These dishes are perfect for a swift breakfast, a speedy lunch, or a hassle-free dinner, especially after a long day when you’re too tired to spend much time in the kitchen.
And since you can easily customize ingredients, you’ll be offered only those ingredients that you like and can easily find in your local stores.
- “The ability to customize my ingredients was a major win for me, as I live in a small town with limited grocery options. Perfect Body helped me make the most out of what’s available locally and introduced me to some great new dishes.” – Ellen C., 52
But there’s much more to it than only meal plans
Perfect Body gives you total flexibility, helping you make lifestyle changes as extensive or as minimal as you choose.
For those taking initial steps towards health, Perfect Body seamlessly integrates delicious, healthier options into your daily menu.
It’s all about making small, manageable changes that fit effortlessly into your life and taste great too.
However, if you’re curious to explore further, the program has much to offer.
For example, you can kickstart your fitness journey with home workouts tailored to your level and objectives.
That’s a convenient, straightforward, and perfect way to get active without stepping out the door.
Moreover, Perfect Body equips you with a suite of tracking tools to monitor everything from your water intake and sleep patterns to calorie consumption and weight.
This can help you learn more about your typical lifestyle patterns and find small changes that can lead to quick wins on your weight loss journey.
And if you’re looking for tailored advice, take advantage of a one-on-one consultation with a professional nutritionist.
It will help you map out a way to a life where you
→ feel more confident and energized,
→ don’t have joint pains,
→ and can fit into the clothes you’ve been dreaming about.
- “I used to think that you need to suffer to get some weight loss results. For me, it always was about restrictions. But Perfect Body helped me set up my own healthy routines, that I really love and already see reshaping my waist!” – Maria, 29.
Get started in a minute
It all starts with a short quiz.
This way, you can see your personalized weight loss forecast and unlock a plan matching your tastes and needs.
The best part, the quiz is completely free and quick to complete.
After all, the worst thing that can happen is that you will learn a bit more about yourself and your body.
Start today and join thousands of happy users that already achieved their weight loss goals with Perfect Body.