Feb 24, 2026Intermittent Fasting and Aging: Metabolic Benefits, Muscle Risk, and Evidence ReviewIntermittent fasting (IF) protocols — including 16:8 time-restricted eating and 5:2 alternate-day approaches — produce modest metabolic benefits similar to matched caloric restriction. Autophagy induction is mechanistically plausible but not confirmed in humans at the cellular level during typical IF windows. Muscle mass preservation requires attention to protein timing and resistance training.