Intermittent fasting (general)
Metabolic Health · Fasting
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Intermittent fasting (general) as B- (6.3/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
De Cabo NEJM 2019 review — metabolic benefits may be largely attributable to caloric restriction and circadian alignment rather than fasting per se.
Typical use: 16:8, 18:6, 20:4, OMAD, or 5:2; choose pattern that fits adherence — N/A.
What this is
De Cabo NEJM 2019 review — metabolic benefits may be largely attributable to caloric restriction and circadian alignment rather than fasting per se. Benefits vs caloric restriction alone modest in head-to-head trials.
Mechanism
Metabolic switching from glucose to ketones/FFA; autophagy induction; reduced mTOR and insulin signaling; circadian alignment; decreased inflammation
Dose & route
16:8, 18:6, 20:4, OMAD, or 5:2; choose pattern that fits adherence
Citations
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1905136
- https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(18)30253-5
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2771095
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41811567/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41898513/
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Common questions
- Does Intermittent fasting (general) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Intermittent fasting (general) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.3/10). De Cabo NEJM 2019 review — metabolic benefits may be largely attributable to caloric restriction and circadian alignment rather than fasting per se.
- Is Intermittent fasting (general) safe?
- Intermittent fasting (general) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: N/A. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Intermittent fasting (general)?
- 16:8, 18:6, 20:4, OMAD, or 5:2; choose pattern that fits adherence
- How does Intermittent fasting (general) work?
- Metabolic switching from glucose to ketones/FFA; autophagy induction; reduced mTOR and insulin signaling; circadian alignment; decreased inflammation
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.