Alternate day calorie restriction improves clinical findings and reduces markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight adults with moderate asthma.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled single-arm before-and-after pilot trial
PubMed 17291990 · doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2006.12.005
What was done
Ten adults with BMI > 30 and moderate asthma followed an alternate-day calorie restriction (ADCR) regimen for 8 weeks, alternating between ad libitum eating days and restriction days (<20% of baseline caloric intake). Investigators evaluated asthma control, symptom scores, and quality of life (ACQ, ASUI, mini-AQLQ), daily morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), and pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline and 8 weeks. Blood was analyzed for metabolic parameters (beta-hydroxybutyrate, leptin, lipids), oxidative stress markers (8-isoprostane, nitrotyrosine, protein carbonyls, 4-hydroxynonenal adducts), and inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, BDNF).
What was found
Nine of the 10 participants completed the diet, losing an average of 8% of initial body weight. Asthma symptom scores, control, quality of life, and morning PEF improved significantly within 2 weeks and remained improved throughout 8 weeks (exact numerical values not reported in abstract). Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry did not change. Calorie restriction days showed increased beta-hydroxybutyrate and reduced leptin, alongside decreases in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, TNF-alpha, BDNF, and all measured oxidative stress markers, with an increase in uric acid.
Why it matters
This pilot study provides preliminary proof-of-concept that alternate-day fasting is feasible in overweight asthmatic individuals and may decrease systemic oxidative and inflammatory burden alongside weight loss.
Limits
The study is very small (n=10) and lacks a control group (such as standard continuous calorie restriction or standard care), precluding causal attribution of symptom improvements beyond placebo effect or non-specific weight loss. Spirometry showed no objective improvement. Long-term adherence and safety beyond 8 weeks were not evaluated.
Cited by
- supports In a 2007 study by Jim Johnson and Dr. Mattson, overweight asthma patients eating 400 calories every other day for two months had improved asthma symptoms, improved airflow, and reduced blood markers of oxidative stress and inflammation between two and four weeks.