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ADF (alternate day fasting)-Vindication for fat!

Grazer

Grazer

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Read an article on this Diet. The idea is that you spend one day fasting, although even on that day you can eat 600 calories, and the next day you eat whatever you want. This obviously isn't a diabetic diet (the "eat whatever you want" would be too good to be true!) but one aimed at long-term health and weight loss.
This was run as a trial by Dr Krista Varady, University of Illinois. This trial was run over ten weeks, with two groups of people, 16 in each group.
The interesting part for me was that one group ate low fat on the non-fast days, and the other high fat.
BOTH groups experienced the same weight loss, but also both groups had similar falls in Blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
A vindication for fat eaters it seems!
 
Not sure how you arrive at that conclusion after just ten weeks, you might just as well say it vindicates low fat eaters. It is the long term concerns that are unproven Grazer not the day to day eating.

I'm actually amazed that either group managed to reduce their BP or their LDL in such a short period of time.
 
I read something about this either this study or one like it not long ago Grazer. I can't remember all the details, but certainly the one day fasting and improvement in BP and weight loss and decrease in bad cholesterol. I can only go by my own results, I eat lots of healthy fats and my cholesterol is perfect. Could it be the statin? Well, yes I suppose it could, but my GP and I both said my diet had made the biggest contribution to to the turn around. I had my high cholesterol test at the end of February, my new and much improved one around 4 months later, so make of it what you will, but an increase in good fats works for me, as well as many others here.
 
Since I only managed the Newcastle Diet for a week before my will-power buckled, maybe I could do one day shakes/1 day as usual?

I think I'll try that to see if it works - only it will have to be after the next 2 weeks. I have visitors coming - always a big hurdle :shock:

Viv 8)
 
Did you get the article from the Mail Grazer?

Eat, Fast and Live Longer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... onger.html

The Scarsdale diet mentioned was quite revolutionary at that time. My aunt told me about it and said that lots of young women tried it and fainted at times. Interesting how it was after the war years that people were looking for diets.

The Horizon programme is on tomorrow at 9.00 pm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lxyzc

Vindication for whatever you eat I should think if you read the full article. "one group were put on a low fat diet, eating lean meat, fruit and vegetables. The other group were eating Lasagne and Pizza".

None of the articles addresses the problems of a diet for a diabetic.
 
Quite right Catherine. As I said, it's not a diabetic diet issue; @eat what you like" doesn't really do it!
The point is that LDL went down for those on low fat (expected) but also went down on high fat (not perhaps expected) so, as many T2s on diet only can't follow low fat which requires relatively high protein or high carb, they can follow high fat without worsening LDL following this diet. Not commenting on long term implications which have been discussed ad nauseum, just found it interesting that LDL came DOWN on high fat contrary to many people's expectations.
 
viviennem said:
Since I only managed the Newcastle Diet for a week before my will-power buckled, maybe I could do one day shakes/1 day as usual?

I think I'll try that to see if it works - only it will have to be after the next 2 weeks. I have visitors coming - always a big hurdle :shock:

Viv 8)
Click to expand...

It might be worth a try Viv. When I was near the end of the diet I was looking at all kinds of ways to find a sustainable eating plan for me. One of the things I looked at was a shake for lunch and a proper dinner. In the end I chose the Paleo/Primal way I eat now, but it was idea that I came close to trying.

I am going to do the ND every January to get me back on track after Christmas, we could try that together, I know the support I had while doing the diet kept me going. We could support each other? I feel I wouldn't enjoy Christmas if I didn't have a plan in place afterwards, so hoping this works for me. :D
 
Defren said:
I read something about this either this study or one like it not long ago Grazer. I can't remember all the details, but certainly the one day fasting and improvement in BP and weight loss and decrease in bad cholesterol. I can only go by my own results, I eat lots of healthy fats and my cholesterol is perfect. Could it be the statin? Well, yes I suppose it could, but my GP and I both said my diet had made the biggest contribution to to the turn around. I had my high cholesterol test at the end of February, my new and much improved one around 4 months later, so make of it what you will, but an increase in good fats works for me, as well as many others here.
Click to expand...
Yeah, thanks Jo. I don't eat high fat as such,but eat much more since reducing carbs rather than upping protein. My Cholesterol went from 5.5 to 3.8 with no change in statins. Perhaps could have reduced LDL with lower fats, but that wouldmt have helped my BGs The same of course without raising something else. Just reassurin That I can up fats to balance lower carbs without worrying about cholesterol.
 
Somewhat different but I worked with a chap some 20+ years ago who was a vegetarian and he would fast one day a week (Wednesday) to rid his body of toxins, he only drink water on the day and swore by the health benefits.

TBH ADF and similar don't appeal to me as I don't like diets that are restrictive, the best diet is one that meets your energy needs, keeps you healthy throughout and makes you feel good.

I'll Sky+ the Horizon programme tomorrow and catch up later in the week.
 
a few months ago I met with an ex colleague and friend of Dr Lutz (Life without Bread), a lovely elderly lady that I am still in contact with, she told me that Dr Lutz was fasting one day a week, on soup made of bone broth and low carb pureed veggies and a thick layer of fat swimming on top, called a Spiegel (mirror).
She herself is also fasting one day a week and can spot a low carber a mile away, which is how she got talking to me :lol:

I eat lots of healthy fats every day, butter, cream, cheese, coconut oil, olive oil and my cholesterol ratio is perfect, its often said that with a low carb diet the cholesterol goes lower initially but then later goes up again, but this has not happened to me.
I am eating low carb because I need to keep bg in check, cant eat too much protein so I do need the fat, esp because I do not want to lose weight, I want to stay as I am.
 
Well, I watched it last night and found it very interesting. I might try 5 days Atkins/2 days 500cal fast, once I've got past my visitors.

Did anyone manage to pick up whether you do the two days consecutively, or if you can do them singly among the seven? Say - Tuesdays and Thursdays?

Viv 8)
 
Hi Viv, it's two consecutive days.

I thought about it and definitely for non D hubby who has a 'pooch' to shift. Just trying to figure which two days are best.

No mention of exercise though - eating our way to healthier and younger bodies can't be the only way but this programme suggested as such.

Also, how long are you meant to do this diet? Forever?
 
The Horizon ADF is 2 non consecutive days - the Doc does Tues and Thurs as reported in the Daily Telegraph. I'm giving it a go and do Mon & Thurs.
 
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