Does intermittent fasting really work?

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [Intermittent fasting isn't all it's cracked up to be]( By Tara Law Health Reporter Trendy diets always gain traction in January, and this month's diet du jour is intermittent fasting, in which a person alternates hours of fasting with short periods during which they eat. The claim is that doing so optimizes metabolism by sticking to the body’s natural rhythms. However, new [research]( this week from the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that the specific time of day when you eat doesn’t help you lose weight. Far more important is the size of your meals. Here's what researchers from that and other studies say really works to help people lose weight: - Track your weight on a scale at home, says study co-author Dr. Wendy Bennett, associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Many people gain a pound every year, she says, and are often surprised when that registers on the scale. - Keep a record of what you’re eating by using an app if you find you're gaining weight, says Bennett. - Find a method you can stick to, because that will ultimately be the best plan for you, says Dr. Nisa Maruthur, associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. [READ THE STORY](. Share the story What else to read [Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Drug Donanemab Fails to Get Early FDA Approval]( By Robert Langreth and Nacha Cattan/Bloomberg In an unexpected setback for the drugmaker, Eli Lilly & Co.’s bid for accelerated approval of donanemab was rejected by U.S. regulators. [Read More »]( [Flavored Cannabis Marketing Is Criticized for Targeting Kids]( By Bobby Caina Calvan/AP Concerns are growing over the marketing of flavored cannabis products, like those labeled “mad mango,” “loud lemon,” and “peach dream.” [Read More »]( [Society’s Biggest Risks, Ranked by the World’s Leading Experts]( By Aryn Baker A World Economic Forum survey shows natural disasters and extreme weather are among the top risks to global economy and stability in the next two years. [Read More »]( [Why You Should Be Eating Foods With Probiotics]( By Alexandra Sifferlin Foods like yogurt, cheese, and kombucha are good sources of probiotics, which can help balance the healthy bacteria in your gut microbiome. (Originally published in 2018.) [Read More »]( [Do This One Simple Thing to Fall Asleep Faster]( By Amanda MacMillan People who did this fell asleep nine minutes faster than others in one sleep study—a benefit similar to some prescription sleep aids. (Originally published in 2018.) [Read More »]( ONE LAST READ [DIY weight-loss drugs are on the rise]( People desperate for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic—which are experiencing popularity-fueled shortages—are turning to risky sources. As STAT's Elaine Chen reports, websites are claiming to sell the active ingredients in these drugs for people to mix with water into their own DIY injections, which experts say could be dangerous. [Read More »]( --------------------------------------------------------------- If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Tara Law and Angela Haupt, and edited by Mandy Oaklander. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.