Intermittent fasting is associated with a 91% increased risk of death from heart attack

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Intermittent Fasting and Heart Attacks: Does the practice of intermittent fasting cause fatal heart attacks? Shedding light on this claim, this article provides a detailed breakdown.

Intermittent fasting and death from heart attack: You may have heard of intermittent fasting as a popular health trend commonly adopted to lose weight and improve your health. But recently there’s been some news about research suggesting a possible link: intermittent fasting and increases the risk of a fatal heart attack. But how true are these claims? Does following a diet like this make you more susceptible to heart attacks? What’s happening inside your body when you’re practicing this fasting method? Let’s uncover it and understand what it has to do with your body. heart health.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting isn’t exactly a diet plan, but more accurately an eating schedule. It is a unique eating style that alternates between eating and fasting periods. There are various versions of this, including his famous 16/8 method, which involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within 8 hours, and his 16/8 method, which involves eating normally for five days of the week and restricting calories. : There are 2 methods etc. Diet for the other two.

The magic of intermittent fasting lies in its ability to regulate the body’s hormone levels to promote weight loss. Fasting causes several changes in your body. Essential factors include lower insulin levels, which make it easier to burn stored body fat, and a surge in the hormone norepinephrine, which helps break down body fat for energy. Essentially, the metabolic shift from burning glucose to fat makes intermittent fasting a great weight loss tool.

Can intermittent fasting lead to death from a fatal heart attack?

In a recent study, experts warn that people who restrict their eating to less than eight hours a day are more likely to die from heart disease. Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, held March 18-21 in Chicago, shows that intermittent fasting (time-restricted fasting) It has been stated that blood pressure is higher in people who follow a strict diet plan. People who eat 12 to 16 hours a day have a higher risk of dying from severe heart disease.

“Restricting your daily meals to a short period of time, such as eight hours a day, has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to lose weight and improve heart health,” said Victor Victor, lead study author and professor in the department. Wenze Zhong said. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. “However, the long-term health effects of time-restricted eating, including the risk of death from any cause or cardiovascular disease, are unclear,” he added.

Research overview

People who followed the dietary rules of intermittent fasting were 91% more likely to die from heart problems.
An increased risk of death from cardiovascular failure was also seen in people with heart disease and cancer.
For people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, eating for more than eight hours but less than 10 hours a day is associated with a 66% increased risk of death from heart disease or stroke, experts say.
Time-restricted eating does not reduce the overall risk of death from any cause.
Eating more than 16 hours per day was associated with a lower risk of cancer death in cancer patients.

Big pitfalls in research

The study claims that intermittent fasting can put you at risk of death from a heart attack, but the journal points out some major pitfalls.

The study involved approximately 20,000 U.S. adults with an average age of 49.
The study’s primary participants were followed for a median of 8 years and up to 17 years.
This study includes data from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) participants who were at least 20 years of age at enrollment.
From 2003 to 2018, they completed two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires within the first year of enrollment.
Approximately half of the participants identified as male and half identified as female.

Intermittent Fasting: What is happening inside your body during this diet?

When you practice intermittent fasting, your body shifts from using glucose as its primary energy source to burning stored fat for fuel, especially during fasting periods. This metabolic change initiates various processes such as cell repair, autophagy, and ketogenesis for energy needs.

Can intermittent fasting increase your risk of heart attack?

Despite the touted health benefits of intermittent fasting, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation, its impact on heart health is still not clearly defined. Some scientific research seems to suggest that intermittent fasting may reduce risks such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation, and may contribute to cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, other studies suggest that harsh fasting regimens or prolonged fasting periods may increase the likelihood of encountering heart-related complications.

A cause for concern regarding intermittent fasting and heart health is that it can lead to electrolyte imbalances. This can lead to arrhythmias and other cardiovascular problems. Prolonged fasting or lack of adequate hydration during fasting can disrupt the electrolyte balance in the body and cause heart strain. Nutrient deficiencies due to extreme calorie restriction or poor food choices at meal intervals can also have negative effects on heart health.

Notes: We strongly recommend that you seek professional help before making any changes to your daily diet. Every body is different. Don’t get carried away by influencers and follow such diet plans without understanding if your body really needs it.