Promoting Immune Health by Intermittent Fasting: a Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria metsyn:

• BMI 30 to 43 kg/m2

• HOMA-IR index larger/same as 2.5

• And At least 3 out of 5 NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program) metabolic syndrome criteria:

• Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 6.1 mmol/l,

• Triglycerides≥1.7mmol/l,

• Waist-circumference>102cm,

• HDL-cholesterol<1.04mmol/l,

• Bloodpressure≥130/85mmHg).

Inclusion healthy volunteers

• Body mass index (BMI) 18 to 25 kg/m2,

• Waist circumference between 79 cm and 94 cm and

• HOMA-IR index: ≤ 2.0 (measured as fasting insulin (pmol/L) x fasting glucose (mmol/L)) / 135)

Exclusion criteria; (all)

• Excessive weight loss of >10% in the last months;

• Use of any medication, including proton pomp inhibitors and antibiotics in the past three months;

• Cholecystectomy;

• Untreated GI disease/abnormal bowel habits;

• Plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase are 2.5 times or more the upper limit of the normal range;

• A history of cardiovascular event (MI or pacemaker implantation);

• A history of heavy alcohol use (>12 to 15 g of alcohol per day, or >12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits);

• A dependency on alcohol or unable to pause the consumption of alcohol during the study period.

• An (expected) prolonged compromised immunity (due to recent cytotoxic chemotherapy or HIV infection with a CD4 count < 240);

• Unmotivated or not able to adhere to a specific diet;

• History of eating disorder;

• Night workers or people with deviant day/night rhythm;

• Pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding at inclusion;

• Irregular menstrual cycle;

• Hormonal replacement therapy (other than oral contraceptives).