Alternate day calorie restriction improves clinical findings and reduces markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight adults with moderate asthma
The concept of calorie restriction without nutrient restriction really intrigues me. While I have not used it clinically, the research supporting this type of approach is rapidly growing, and almost everything I’ve read is positive.
The problem with calorie restriction is that most patients would not be willing to partake in this as a lifestyle choice. The drug companies are trying to find out how to mimic it with a pharmaceutical compound and the researchers are trying to figure out how to make a CR approach more appealing to the masses. The idea of restricting calories every other day is definitely do-able.
Initial research suggests that calorie restriction increases both the efficiency and number of mitochondria. Basically, the body becomes very effective in utilizing all calories that come into the body and does this by making more and “stronger” mitochondria.
In this particular study, researchers found that alternate day CR in 10 obese patients with asthma had positive effects as soon as 2 weeks. Pretty strong findings for such a safe approach.