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Long-term fasting in 24-hour cycles increases the sex drive of male mice by lowering the concentration of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. This effect is linked to a diet-induced deficiency of the precursor substance tryptophan—an amino acid that must be obtained through food. Researchers suggest that similar mechanisms may exist in humans. Starting at two months of age, male mice were subjected to a specific form of intermittent fasting. Their access to food followed a recurring 24-hour pattern: the animals were allowed to feed ad libitum for 24 hours, followed by 24 hours with access to water only. During...

The term intermittent fasting covers several approaches. The "Eat Stop Eat" method: Alternate days of normal eating and fasting, including two non-consecutive fasting days in a week. The 5:2 method: This alternates between five days of normal eating and two days (which can be consecutive) of 70-75% calorie reduction during the week. Time-restricted eating: This consists of narrowing the food intake window to between 6 and 10 hours per day, fasting between 14 and 18 hours during the day. With the "Eat Stop Eat" and 5:2 approaches, the data has shown they can effectively help us lose weight and improve...

Time-restricted eating is one variation of a hot diet trend that also includes intermittent fasting. According to Krista Varady, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, there are several types of intermittent fasting, including one meal per day, the 5/2 method, which involves five feast days and two days with restricted calories, and alternate-day fasting. "With alternate-day fasting, people typically lose 3 to 8 percent of their body weight over three to 12 months," Varady said. And it can work with both low- and high-fat diets. Weight loss is not the only benefit. In a...