'Brutal' type of fasting diet better for weight loss than any other
Alternate day fasting involves a 24-hour fast on alternate days and has become more popular in recent years. Other intermittent fasting approaches to dieting have also grown in popularity, including time restricted eating, where people only eat for a certain number of hours in the day, such at the 16:8 diet involving a 16-hour fasting period followed by an eight-hour eating; and whole day fasting, which includes the 5:2 diet involving five days of eating and two days of fasting periods.
Researchers from Scotland, the US, Canada and Germany wanted to compare fasting methods to continuous energy restriction diets by looking at all of the available evidence. They examined data from 99 studies involving more than 6,500 people.
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People involved in the studies had an average body mass index (BMI) of 31 and almost nine in 10 (89%) had pre-existing health conditions. The research team found that both intermittent fasting diets and calorie restricted diets led to weight loss.
But compared with continuous energy restriction, alternate day fasting was the only strategy to show benefit in body weight reduction, with people on this diet losing 1.29kg more, according to the study, which has been published in The BMJ. The authors said that alternate day fasting showed a 'trivial' reduction in body weight compared with both time restricted eating and whole day fasting
'Minor differences were noted between some intermittent fasting diets and continuous energy restriction, with some benefit for an alternate day fasting strategy with weight loss in shorter duration trials,' the authors wrote. 'All intermittent fasting strategies and continuous energy restriction diets showed a reduction in body weight when compared with an ad-libitum diet
'Of three intermittent fasting diets (ie, alternate day fasting, time restricted eating, and whole day fasting), alternate day fasting showed benefit in body weight reduction compared with continuous energy restriction.'
Around 29% of adults in the UK are obese. Last week the NHS ' top doctor said that weight loss jabs could be as transformative as statins.
Later this month GPs in England will be allowed to prescribe mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, for the first time. Patients previously needed to access the drugs through a special weight loss service.
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Best overall vegan protein powder for 2025 Other top vegan protein powders we recommend for 2025 Types of vegan protein powders Factors to consider when choosing a vegan protein powder How we chose the best vegan protein powder Other vegan protein powders we tested FAQs Meet our experts Related: If you're looking to boost your protein intake but aren't 100% sure that a plant-based powder is right for you, check out our lists of the best protein powders for women and the best overall protein powders. A note on supplements The products included on this list are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your healthcare provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. Update, July 3, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for best overall vegan protein powder is unchanged. (back to top) (back to top) Vegan protein powders each have their own benefits, drawbacks and nutritional profiles. Here's a closer look at the most common types and what sets them apart: Brown rice protein: Brown rice protein powder tends to be more affordable and is a good source of BCAAs. That said, it isn't a complete protein source, and rice-based powders are more susceptible to heavy metal contamination. For this reason, if you opt for a rice-based powder, choose one that's third-party-tested for heavy metals and other contaminants. Hemp protein: Sourced from the seeds of industrial hemp plants, hemp protein is cultivated to contain only trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so there's no need to worry about any psychoactive effects. 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Organic: If you prefer organic products, choose powders certified by the USDA to ensure they meet strict organic standards. Additional nutrients: Some powders include extras like vitamins, minerals or adaptogens. Check whether you're already getting these nutrients elsewhere or if they might interact with any medications you're taking. Dietary needs and restrictions: If you have allergies or specific dietary preferences, such as a gluten-free, soy-free or nut-free diet, carefully review the ingredient list. Third-party testing: For peace of mind, opt for third-party-tested products to ensure label accuracy and screening for heavy metals and contaminants. Competitive athletes should look for certifications like NSF or Informed Sport to guarantee compliance with sporting standards. Value: Prices range widely, but the cheapest powders may come with more artificial ingredients or lower-quality protein sources. Balance affordability with quality when choosing your powder. 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The powder comes in two flavors and includes a superfood greens blend for an added nutrient boost. Despite being free of artificial additives and sugar alcohols, the powder had a strong artificial taste and smell. The texture was also quite gritty after being mixed with water or milk. (back to top) "Generally, a plant-based protein powder doesn't have as much protein per serving [compared to whey]," says Isaacs. Landes adds, "Plant-based powders are typically lower in leucine, a key amino acid for muscle protein synthesis. To match whey's benefits, you may need a slightly larger serving of plant protein or a blend of sources, like rice and pea, to ensure adequate leucine intake and a complete amino acid profile." "Yes, plant-based powders can help increase overall protein, which is important for muscle gain and recovery. It's been shown to be as effective as whey protein for muscle growth when the leucine content is equal," says Landes. 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This Is the #1 Best Habit for Anxiety, According to Mental Health Experts originally appeared on Parade. Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults in varying degrees of severity, with nearly 16 percent of adults experiencing mild to severe symptoms of anxiety over a two-week period."Anxiety is the brain's danger signal. It's like an alarm going off," says , the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry. However, there is one major problem, according to Pittenger: it's often a false alarm. "The brain evolved to be alert to signs of incipient danger and to go into a state of higher alertness when it detects a potential threat in the environment. And that's a good thing—if you're in an environment where bad things have happened in the past, it's good to be on alert for the possibility that they might happen again," he explains. "If there's a rustling in the bushes, and it's dark and you're alone and there are tigers about, it's good to be ready to run. This acute sense of alertness, and the emotions that go with it, we generally call 'fear.' When it becomes generalized and somewhat more amorphous, we call it 'anxiety.'"Unfortunately, anxiety can become untethered from actual threat, resulting in a state of chronically elevated alertness and stress. "This may be particularly pernicious in the modern world, where our environment is so different from the one in which we evolved," Pittenger continues. "And so anxiety—a chronic false alarm going off that is decoupled from any real danger—becomes a source of suffering and a target for treatment."Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a There is a range of ways to treat elevated, autonomous anxiety. "Sometimes, in mild cases, all that's required is to recognize it for what it is—a false alarm, a reflexive search for danger when none exists," Pittenger explains. Lifestyle changes can be very helpful, too—good sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet, walking in nature and sometimes these are not sufficient "because stubborn patterns of thought get in the way," Pittenger maintains. For example, some people feel a need to be sure that there is no danger before they can bring themselves to relax, "and of course, in a complex, uncertain world, one can never be absolutely sure," he points out. "It's always possible to imagine possible bad outcomes, even if they're not particularly likely." And in the cases where an environment is, in fact, dangerous—like in a toxic or abusive relationship or an unhealthy work environment, for instance—it is adaptive and appropriate to feel some anxiety. "Then, the goal of treatment isn't to remove the anxiety entirely, but rather to better understand and modulate it," he says. This is where therapy may be helpful, especially various forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). "A good therapist can help you identify cognitive structures and biases that reinforce anxiety and make it maladaptive, like perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty and catastrophizing," he says. Related: There's also a role for medication in some cases—although these medications should absolutely only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. "Short-acting medications like benzodiazepines can be helpful for discrete episodes of anxiety, like panic attacks or performance anxiety, but they can create problems in the long term, including tolerance (reduced benefit over time) or addiction," he continues. The best-tested medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro). "These won't help immediately, but over time, they can have a significant benefit," he says. In cases where you feel as though your life is out of control, you may develop catastrophic thinking, which happens when your emotions ramp up into a state of panic. In those moments, you might not have a therapist or medication on hand, so having healthy habits to treat anxiety is very useful, explains family and addictions therapist , author of Fragile Power."One of the best habits I teach my patients to pull themselves out of this dilemma is the age-old practice of counting from one to 20 as many times as needed," he says. Why does this work? It effectively "pulls their chaotic mind and emotions back from the realm of turmoil into the realm of linear logic." Related: For treating anxiety in the longer term, Pittenger recommends prioritizing self-care and doing things that will help shift attention to focus on the positive things in life. "I'm a big fan of walking in nature and of meditation, though these can be harder to do for some people, in practice," he says. "An easier strategy is to just focus on the breathing—in on a count of five, out on a count of 10. Both the slow breathing and the focus can be very helpful." Anxiety can present itself in several different ways. Some are more severe (and debilitating) than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the most common signs and symptoms to look out for: Feeling nervous or restless Having a sense of impending danger/doom Increased heart rate Rapid breathing Sweating Trembling Weakness and fatigue Difficulty concentrating Trouble sleeping Gastrointestinal problems Excessive worry If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to discuss the matter with your doctor or healthcare provider. Up Next:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 'Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults: United States, 2019' Anxiety and Depression Association of America: 'Facts & Statistics.' Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry. Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, family and addictions therapist, author of Fragile Power This Is the #1 Best Habit for Anxiety, According to Mental Health Experts first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
