This is the first time ever that The Obesity Society and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery are coming together for a combined annual scientific meeting. I’ve perused the program and am particularly interested in attending several of the sessions, including one at 1:30pm tomorrow about alternate-day fasting for weight loss and cardio-protection in humans, fasting to reduce cancer risk, and intermittent fasting and brain health. I am really looking forward to hearing the current scientific evidence behind this concept after hearing on The Diane Rehm Show this past March about Dr. Michael Mosley’s diet sensation, “The Fast Diet.” (http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-03-13/dr-michael-mosley-fast-diet)
He promotes severe calorie restriction (under 500 kcal/day for women, 600 for men) on two non-consecutive days every week, claiming that it will help promote weight loss, decrease the risk of dementia, and increase longevity. But this concept has largely been based on animal studies, and the UK National Health Service posted information (updated in May) about the limited research supporting it: (http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/01January/Pages/Does-the-5-2-intermittent-fasting-diet-work.aspx)
The session here at Obesity Weeks tomorrow is supposed to outline research in humans, so I am quite curious to see what will be presented, and whether it will support intermittent fasting!