Dear readers,
there’s a reason I haven’t posted on Substack for a while. My next post, you see, was to be a breakdown of the research on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Time-Restricted Eating (TRE), which are currently the red hot trends in the diet arena.
If you’ve somehow evaded the lavish hyperbole for these diets, they’re being pimped as the ultimate path to everything from weight loss to longevity.
They work their alleged magic, we’re told, by flicking a “metabolic switch,” by taming insulin, by boosting metabolism and growth hormone, by increasing “autophagy” and “hormesis,” and on and on and on.
A few weeks back, I came across a 2020 review of trials examining the issue of IF and weight loss. Many of the trials involved IF diets alone, but nine of the studies were direct comparisons of IF and calorie restricted diets. These are the studies that really matter, because the best way to determine whether IF confers any weight loss advantage over diets of similar caloric content is to compare them with … diets of similar caloric content.
Duh.
“Nine studies,” I said to myself, “this won’t take long. I mean, there wouldn’t be that many new trials published since 2020, right?"”
Almost forty studies later …
Yes, after expanding my terms of reference to include TRE, and including trials published after the 2020 review, my article turned into a book.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce the release of Not So Fast: The Truth About Intermittent Fasting & Time-Restricted Eating.
It cuts through all the bollockery surrounding IF and TRE, with a special emphasis on the weight loss claims. I explain why there is simply no evidence to back the longevity claims, and why these diets offer no weight loss or glycemic control advantage over conventional isocaloric diets.
It should be good for attracting a whole new generation of enemies.
Not So Fast is currently available in ebook form at Amazon (Kindle) and Lulu (EPUB).
A paperback version is in the works.
As a special thank you to all my paid subscribers, who not only think my writing is worth paying for but didn’t bail from their paid subscriptions when I went quiet for more than a few days, details on how to access a free copy are found below.
The content below was originally paywalled.
To get a free ebook copy, click the following link:
Not So Fast: The Truth About Intermittent Fasting & Time-Restricted Eating
This will take you to a site called Smashwords. Put the book in your cart, but when you get to checkout, do not pay for the book!
Instead, enter the following coupon code:
YD65D
The code expires October 31, 2023.
If you’re a paid subscriber who happens to open this email on November 1 or later, don’t fret, don’t swear and definitely don’t start throwing things around the office. Just drop me a message at ac.substack@protonmail.com and I’ll get you sorted with a new code.
I’ve set aside enough codes to cover one free download for all paid subscribers. Please be good Samaritans and only download one copy so that everyone gets their free copy and I don’t get called nasty names.
Any issues, let me know. Otherwise, enjoy the book!
Oh, one last thing: If you like the book, a positive review at the book’s Amazon page would be greatly appreciated.
Ciao,
Anthony.
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