Scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla have found that mice that ate a high fat/ high calorie diet but fasted for 16 hours were almost as lean as a control group which ate a lower calorie diet. There was a third group of mice that ate a high fat/ high calorie diet at all times of the day and night. No surprise this group became obese. The scientists also discovered that the fasting mice had revved up the burning of "brown fat" because their body temperature were higher than all the groups of mice. They also saw that the fasting mice had very similar blood levels of cholesterol and glucose as the mice that ate a lower calorie diet. The scientists think this is evidence that the body needs a break from constantly managing incoming food.
Mice to humans is a big leap but this study could offer a simple alternative for people that have tried to restrict their calories or carbohydrate levels in order to lose weight. This 16 hour fast would mean eating until 6:00 PM and not eating again until 10:00 AM. Keep in mind this would also mean no beer or wine after 6:00 PM. Food for thought!
This information was taken from an article written by Melissa Healy in The Los Angeles Times: May 18th, 2012