Beneficial reprogramming of fat metabolism with intermittent fasting
Official title: Beneficial reprogramming of lipid metabolism with intermittent fasting
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11365867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team at a major university is testing whether intermittent fasting can improve heart and metabolic health in people, beyond just weight loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $666,071 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133578-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are able to follow intermittent fasting regimens and participate in regular health assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to adhere to fasting schedules or with conditions making fasting unsafe may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how fasting schedules might change fat metabolism and related body processes in humans, using clinical measurements and multi-omics data. Researchers will track how different fasting durations relate to weight, blood factors, and bone health while monitoring adherence and any behavioral changes. The study aims to identify pathways by which fasting could improve cardiometabolic health without requiring daily dieting. Participants would undergo specific fasting protocols combined with regular clinical assessments to understand biological responses. The goal is to translate findings into practical, safe dietary strategies for improving health in adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to practical fasting approaches that improve cardiometabolic health and aging-related factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show metabolic benefits from intermittent fasting and caloric restriction, suggesting potential for positive outcomes with carefully designed protocols.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fazeli, Pouneh Khadejeh — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Fazeli, Pouneh Khadejeh
Related research
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Intermittent fasting and blood sugar in adults with diabetes
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-
Fatty acid signals that control protein production during fasting and aging
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Intermittent fasting with PD-1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer
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Fasting-mimicking diet and cancer stem cells in Wilms tumor
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-
Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
A study tests whether intermittent fasting can improve bone healing in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by changing the gut microbiome.
-
Intermittent fasting and nutrition counseling to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes
A large 12-month program will compare time-restricted eating, intermittent energy restriction, and standard nutrition education to see which approach best improves blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.