Impacto del ayuno intermitente en la reducción de triglicéridos y colesterol

Intermittent fasting is presented as a natural strategy to improve metabolic health, especially in the regulation of triglycerides and cholesterol, which are key factors in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Given the variability of results in the literature, this study aimed to evaluate its impact through a narrative review, focused on three objectives: to relate the different fasting protocols with changes in the lipid profile, to identify the biological mechanisms involved and to describe their effects on blood lipids. To this end, a narrative review of scientific literature published in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science was developed, selecting studies under rigorous ethical and methodological criteria. The results show that intermittent fasting, in protocols such as 16:8, 5:2 and alternate days, can significantly reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels, especially in people with metabolic alterations. These effects vary depending on the type and duration of the protocol applied. Biologically, they are related to processes such as lipolysis, ketogenesis, improvement in insulin sensitivity and activation of autophagy, which favor fat oxidation and the balance of the lipid profile. In general, decreases in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and increases in HDL are observed, thus improving cardiovascular health. However, its effectiveness depends on the individual metabolic state, so a personalized application accompanied by health professionals is recommended.