Lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and deaths with Intermittent Fasting

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

Research from the Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake, Utah, showed that subjects who fasted once a month consistently for an average of 40 years had a lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality at 11% compared to 28.8% of non-fasters.[1]

Intermittent fasting decreases COVID-19 risks in all ages regardless of race or ethnicity, cardiac risk factors, comorbidities, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking.[1]

However, the chance of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 between the fasted and non-fasted groups is the same.

The results are impressive, considering that most fasted subjects have more comorbidities. Their medical problems include coronary heart disease (75.5%), diabetes (37%), hyperlipidemia (80.8%), heart failure (54.8%), and hypertension (87.7%). 

More than 60% of Utahns are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church). Part of their religious observations is to fast for 24 hours a month. 

The less than 1% case fatality rate of COVID-19 in Utah (13.9 per 100,000 cases) can also be due to the low numbers of smoking and alcohol intake. The LDS church prohibits alcohol and smoking. 

According to the authors, lower levels of inflammation and decreased attachment of the spike protein to the ACE2 receptors and autophagy are possible reasons.[1]

the results are surprising since the study group fasted for only one day a month. Could their outcomes be lower if they fasted more frequently?

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References:

  1. Horne et al. (2022). Association of periodic fasting with lower severity of COVID-19 outcomes in the SARS-CoV-2 prevaccine era: an observational cohort from the INSPIRE registry. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. e000462. 10.1136/bmjnph-2022-000462.
  2. Bartholomew CL, Muhlestein JB, Anderson JL, et al. Association of
    periodic fasting lifestyles with survival and incident major adverse
    cardiovascular events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
    Eur J Prev Cardiol 2022;28:1774–81.

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