Do experts agree on the effectiveness of the 'OMAD diet'?

An emerging diet trend suggests consuming only one meal a day, in contrast to the conventional advice of three square meals.

The OMAD diet is a type of intermittent fasting where all daily calories are consumed in one meal following a 23-hour fast.

Dr. Jason Fung, a renowned Canadian nephrologist, is recognized as an authority on intermittent fasting (IF). In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, he discussed the OMAD diet, which he described as a more stringent form of IF.

Fung pointed out that both diets include "time-restricted eating," but with intermittent fasting, individuals can consume food twice a day.

If you only eat once a day, you will naturally eat less overall, he said.

According to the expert, the body is either storing or burning calories.

Fasting for an extended period can decrease hunger as the body uses fat for energy, according to Fung.

Who could benefit?

According to Fung, OMAD and intermittent fasting can significantly aid in weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes.

"As sugar and fat are the ways calories are stored, fasting significantly affects weight and sugars," he stated.

The doctor pointed out that losing weight can decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, and obesity-related cancers, as well as relieve back pain, knee pain, and joint pressure.

According to Fung, studies published by the National Institutes of Health and Diabetes Care show that type 2 diabetes can be reversed through intermittent fasting.

One of Fung's diabetes patients who had been taking insulin for 15 years was able to stop his medication after following the OMAD diet three times a week for a month.

Despite not taking insulin, the patient still fasts regularly, though less frequently, he stated.

"You can actually reverse your type 2 diabetes with intermittent fasting."

Fung stated that individuals with hypoglycemia who are not taking blood glucose-lowering type 2 diabetes medications can still follow the OMAD diet by avoiding highly refined carbohydrates, which can cause glucose levels to spike.

He recommends eating whole, natural, unprocessed foods.

A Toronto-based clinical nutritionist, Fern Katzman, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that she has observed patients with type 2 diabetes who have stopped taking Metformin, an oral antidiabetic medication, or did not need to start it after adopting intermittent fasting, also known as OMAD.

Katzman advised that individuals should have a motive to follow OMAD, whether it's to tackle health problems or to regulate high blood sugar levels following a period of overindulgence.

"Eating or drinking a lot causes insulin to spike, which in turn leads to increased hunger, according to her statement on Planet Chronicle Digital."

When people have done OMAD, they report that their cravings cease, which is crucial for any weight loss program, as Katzman stated.

Katzman's patients have reported improved digestion and reduced bloating on the OMAD diet because "consuming sugar leads to yeast growth and bloating."

She noted that patients experienced immediate improvements in mood and energy levels on the diet.

To maintain a healthy diet, Katzman advises consuming an abundance of vegetables, protein, and grains, including quinoa and small amounts of brown rice.

‘Not for everyone’

Katzman advised that OMAD may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with eating disorders or hypoglycemia.

Dr. Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Florida, concurred with those concerns, cautioning that the OMAD diet may exacerbate eating disorders.

"She informed Planet Chronicle Digital that you're not paying attention to your instinctive feelings of hunger and satiety, and you're not relying on your own judgment."

Young also warned that the diet can "make you fatigued."

She added that it could potentially increase hunger and lead to low blood sugar levels.

Dr. Joel Kahn, a holistic cardiologist in Michigan, does not support the OMAD diet.

According to research from the National Institutes of Health and JAMA, consuming only one meal in the evening can lead to decreased metabolic health, increased blood sugar levels, and greater insulin resistance.

"You're not focusing on your intuitive internal signals of hunger and fullness."

According to Kahn, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital, theoretically, if you're following a One Meal a Day diet, you may choose to do it during the morning hours.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

The doctor suggests the Daniel Diet, a "faith-based diet" based on plants and legumes from the Book of Daniel.

The Prolon 5-Day Program, a plant-based fasting-mimicking diet, is also favored by Khan, who believes it can assist individuals in attaining a younger biological age.