The dos and don'ts of intermittent fasting
Is intermittent fasting right for you?
Jan, 2026
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Fasting isn’t a new concept—many religions have practiced it for centuries. But it has become increasingly popular as a way to lose weight and improve overall wellness. Some preliminary studies also suggest intermittent fasting may help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Read on to see if fasting is right for you—and how to do it safely.
Written byChristina Donnelly.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: de Cabo R + 10
- de Cabo R, Mattson MP. Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. Longo DL, ed. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;381(26):2541-2551.
- Bartholomew CL, Muhlestein JB, et al, Randomized controlled trial of once-per-week intermittent fasting for health improvement: the WONDERFUL trial, European Heart Journal Open, Volume 1, Issue 2, September 2021, oeab026.
- Dong TA, Sandesara PB, et al. Intermittent Fasting: A Heart Healthy Dietary Pattern? Am J Med. 2020 Aug;133(8):901-907.
- Clifton KK, Ma CX, et al. Intermittent fasting in the prevention and treatment of cancer. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. November/December 2021. 71(6); pp527-546.
- Yuan X, Wang J, et al. Effect of Intermittent Fasting Diet on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Patients with Impaired Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Endocrinol. 2022 Mar 24;2022:6999907.
- Mayo Clinic. Is it true that occasionally following a fasting diet can reduce my risk of heart disease? October 8, 2022.
- Cleveland Clinic. Intermittent Fasting: How It Works and 4 Types Explained. March 3, 2022.
- Ogłodek E, Pilis Prof W. Is Water-Only Fasting Safe? Glob Adv Health Med. 2021 Aug 5;10:21649561211031178.
- John Hopkins Medicine. Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work? Published 2021.
- Zouhal H, Saeidi A, et al. Exercise Training and Fasting: Current Insights. Open Access J Sports Med. 2020 Jan 21;11:1-28.
- Keenan S, Cooke MB, Belski R. The Effects of Intermittent Fasting Combined with Resistance Training on Lean Body Mass: A Systematic Review of Human Studies. Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2349.
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