Exploratory sub-study compares intermittent fasting and calorie restriction effects on inflammation in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes, highlighting weight loss impacts.
Background Intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) may reduce inflammation, though it is unclear which is more effective in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes. Objective This exploratory sub‐study compared the effects of achieved weight loss by IF plus early time‐restricted eating (iTRE) or CR versus standard care (SC) on systemic and adipose tissue markers of inflammation. Methods Adults ( N = 209, 34.8 ± 4.7 kg/m 2 ) were randomised into three groups (2:2:1): iTRE (30% energy requirements between 0800 and 1200 on 3 days/week); CR (30% energy restriction); or SC for 6 months. Body weight and plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interferon‐ɣ (IFNɣ) were measured at baseline and month 6 in a subset with weight loss above (CR: N = 32, iTRE: N = 35) or below median (SC: N = 18). The expression of inflammatory genes in adipose tissue was measured using qPCR. Results Weight loss was greater in iTRE and CR versus SC. While TNF‐α and CRP levels decreased at month 6 (CRP: −1.36 ± 0.47 mg/dL, p < 0.001; TNF‐α: −0.082 ± 0.03 pg/mL, p = 0.025), there were no between group effects. In adipose tissue, no differences in inflammatory genes were detected. Conclusions The mode of weight loss intervention did not differentially impact inflammatory markers in participants with weight loss above median.
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Turner et al. (2025) studied this question.