Intermittent fasting (as promoted so confidently by Gransnet)

How many qualified health experts are there at GNHQ?!

Thanks for thie jingl- I was concerned about how much this diet has been promoted here by so many.

What the NHS site actually says is as follows:

^Despite its popularity evidence directly assessing the 5:2 model of intermittent fasting is limited.

But since this article was originally written in January 2013 we have been alerted to research, led by Dr Michelle Harvie, which did look at the 5:2 model.

In one study carried out in 2010 the researchers did find that women placed on a 5:2 diet achieved similar levels of weight loss as women placed on a calorie-controlled diet.

They also experienced reductions in a number of biological indicators (biomarkers) that suggest a reduction in the risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

A further study in 2012 suggested that the 5:2 model may help lower the risk of certain obesity-related cancers, such as breast cancer.

The increasing popularity of the 5:2 diet should lead to further research of this kind.^

My DH and I have tried many diets over the years but have given up basically because we are weak willed and love our food and too much. DH has had numerous heart health problems and has been moderately overweight for many years. We decided to give the 5:2 diet a go and stuck to it for about 4 months. What we realised during those 4 months was what exactly we were eating, how much sugar (calories) etc was in our food, the healthier choices of meat, ver and fruit and our bodies slowly adjusted. After 4 months we stopped the diet and just eat normally every day but a reduced rate. Over the last 12 months DH has continued a slow weight reduction and now weighs less than he has for 40 years having lost around 2 ½ to 3 stone.

I would say it works because it helps you think more about what you are eating and makes you think of healthier options. We also indulge in unhealthy treats (steak and chips yummy) but then reduce again over a few days. It worked for us.

I rely on My Fitness Pal to understand what we are eating - not just calories but also, for example, salt, and it has amazed me where it pops up. I am a keen advocate of "Clean" food, so checking additives and preservatives helps increase our awareness.

FlicketyBthis is the article from which I copied and pasted the Conclusion

I did discuss my 5-2 with my GP at length when my blood pressure decreased significantly after a few months on it. Turned out he followed the plan himself and had had the same result. It's horses for courses really. It makes sense that we will all recommend what works for us, and why not?

Well anyone thinking of dieting by any method ought to think about any possible health issues before they start. Certainly if you have particular health conditions.

I didn't think that GN as a organisation had promoted it. Is it not just Gnrs themselves commenting on whether or not they feel it has worked for them.

Saying there is "limited evidence" does not mean there is no evidence that it helps or does not help. It might just mean than not many people have actually done enough scientifically sound research to be able to make a judgement.

All I would say is that I found the 5:2 diet lot easier to stick to than any calorie controlled diet I have ever tried.
I became used to doing the fast days and not feel thar I was particularly hungry and I am now much more able to stop picking and snacking.

this

It hasn't been around long enough to be sure of possible effects on the elderly.

I follow this way of eating. I have lost 5 stones (one third of my start weight) and now have a BMI of 22.
I have maintained my weight for a year now and no longer fast routinely, only after a blowout weekend (like the one I have just had!).

I have just visited the dentist. Teeth: nothing required. Gums: score of zero all round.

At the age of 65, with all my gnashers in such good condition, it's down, not only to good dental hygiene, but my way of eating, as I follow a relatively low carb diet.

It's not for everyone, but it's worked for me and transformed my life.

Well, I think anyone over the age of seventy-ish would be well advised to eat a balanced daily diet. Every day. Anything else could cause stress to the body. And interrupt normal sleep patterns.

But perhaps not many grans are over seventy-ish.

I'm over seventy! And I've done the 5.2 diet, very successfully.
It's a matter of common sense really. For instance, I have dropped it during this cold weather as I think we need the calories to keep warm.
But I shall start it again in the spring as it's the only diet that I've ever had any real success with.

Well done MrsPickle, you must feel so much better! How long did it take for you to lose it? Amazing.

I am very overweight and just can't seem to stick to any diet.

I think if anyone is on medication, they should of course check with their GP before going on any diet, apart from the usual cutting down on regular meals.

5-2 seems quite a sensible idea to me, after all you are not going without food on the 2 days, just cutting down a lot.

I Can only support what MrsPickle has said. I started the 5:2 a couple off years ago and lost the 3 stone I needed to. I am very healthy, feel better in myself and am in an appropriate BMI band.

It has made me aware of what I eat and now just eat sensibly. No weight gain.
I had a three course meal out last night, so today it's muesli for breakfast, fresh pineapple and mango for lunch and a small portion of fresh pasta with vegetables for dinner tonight.

I no longer crave sugar, crisps or eat between meals. To me this is all good. But I respect everyone's right to eat as they wish. x

I re started the 5:2 on returning from 5 weeks away: Australia then Christmas in Dubai with family. I put on several pounds, I have lost that, my blood pressure is the best yet! And by having an almost dry month from wine, no cheese and plant sterol pills my cholesterol has also dropped from 6.8 to 4.5! So I am happy though still need to lose 10 lbs in weight.
I agree with other comments that it's only two days in the week and It's not difficult and I do not feel hungry.The next day you can eat normally, worth a try and easier than week after week of constantly cutting down.....

Yes well. If you've dropped dead whilst on it you're not going to be posting on here are you?

jingl, just spluttered coffee everywhere!

I'd better leave some comments with DH so he can post posthumously for me! x

I have a friend of 74 who swears by it, she says it is the only diet she has ever managed to stick to. She started it two years ago. She's still trying to get me to take it up, but I prefer my 'term time only' diet as it fits in with our lives better.

"And by having an almost dry month from wine, no cheese"

What, MaggieP you saint, you....

Here is the link for my quote.
www.nhs.uk/news/2013/01January/Pages/Does-the-5-2-intermittent-fasting-diet-work.aspx

I and DH are over 70. We both lost 2 stone last summer on the 5:2 diet without any side effects. Both of us kept up our normal exercise pattern whether it was a fast day or not without ill effects.

Like Henetha we have stopped 5;2 over the cold weather but will start again come the warm weather. However we are still following the 1 day a week maintenance pattern.

It is so flexible, if you have a celebration you enjoy it, the next fast day will get you back on the straight and narrow

Well done MrsPickle! You are amazing!!

Those of us who like the 5:2 are happy with it, and I would think, jingl, that we are old enough and ugly enough (as my Granny used to say) to make our own decisions. I suppose it's kind of you to worry about us, but I cannot believe that MrsPickle, for example, hasn't done herself a lot of good by her success. I know that I feel much better for losing the extra stone that I was carrying about.

Oh indeed, MrsPickle not only looks better, feels better and even the old gnashers are A1.

But, I am in the swing of it and find it relatively easy. I know a lot of people don't. Now, I have 5 years to go till I'm 70, but I am going to enjoy them all!