Table 1 Categories of fasting and other diet intervention methods

Short term fasting (STF)

0 cal intake

24 h to 5 days

[8,9,10,11,12]

Dietary restriction (DR)

20% ~ 40% reduction of calorie intake

Acute: 2 weeks; Moderate: 3–19 weeks; Long: at least 20 weeks

[13, 14]

Intermittent fasting (IF)

70% energy restriction

Every other day

[15]

500–700 cal intake

Two consecutive days per week

Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD)

Fasting for two days (Day 1 provided at about 50% of normal daily intake, day 2–4 provided at about 10% of normal daily intake) followed by ten days ad libitum refeeding

Months

[16, 17]

Periodic Fasting and Refeeding Cycles (PFRC)

1–2 days STF and 5–6 days ad libitum refeeding

Months

[18]