A recent body of evidence suggests that intermittent fasting, a popular eating pattern for weight management, may be associated with a reduction in lean muscle mass. According to analysis cited in reporting on the topic, both younger and older adults lost some lean muscle while following intermittent fasting protocols. The finding comes from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrients, which examined multiple studies on time-restricted eating.
The report stated that the muscle loss occurs alongside fat loss when the body is in a calorie deficit. Researchers noted that the reduction in eating hours naturally leads to lower overall calorie and protein intake, which can compromise muscle maintenance. While intermittent fasting remains effective for weight loss for some individuals, the analysis emphasized that without specific countermeasures, the loss of lean tissue can undermine long-term metabolic health.
Read Full Article: https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-11-study-intermittent-fasting-linked-to-lean-muscle-loss.html
