Intermittent Fasting vs. Carb Restriction

 My master's dissertation was on the subject of fasting. Many benefits of the practice were known when I wrote on the topic in 1972 but science has come a long way since. We now know how fasting provides benefits at the molecular level through autophagy--literally "self eating". Fasting is difficult for many people even though they would like the benefits the practice offers.

A recent study suggests that restriction of carbohydrates without restriction of calories may provide many of the benefits of fasting. The researchers conclude: " These findings demonstrate that carbohydrate restriction, without altering energy intake, can elicit effects similar to those observed in short-term fasting. As such we propose a strategy of repeated carbohydrate restriction cycles alone may be an emerging alternative approach for the enhancement of cardiometabolic health, warranting further investigation."

Reference:

Article on the benefits of fasting.

Article on carbohydrate restriction providing benefits of fasting.