ABSTRACT
In this systematic review, we examined whether plasma lipids are improved by intermittent fasting (5:2 diet, modified alternate day fasting) or high meal frequency dietary patterns. We found that intermittent fasting is effective at reducing plasma triglycerides and that this effect may be secondary to weight loss. Intermittent fasting is not effective for modulating LDL-cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol. High meal frequency (at a minimum of 9 meals/day) decreases LDL-cholesterol, but plasma triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol are unaffected by this type of dietary pattern.
