Monitoring Intermittent Fasting for Human Optimization Using Wearable Technology: An N-of-1 Study

Summary

There is a growing interest in personalized health strategies, including diet, exercise, and fasting regimens, to enhance metabolic fitness. Recent research indicates that intermittent fasting (IF) is useful not only for weight management, but also for energy production and improvement of metabolic well-being.

IF can potentially reduce systemic inflammation and help to prevent chronic diseases. IF research can also help athletes sustain performance during fasting periods. This prospective study aims to investigate the effects of a human optimization program on an individual\'s metabolic health and overall well-being.

This research examines the correlations between continuous glucose monitoring, ketone measurement, exercise routines, heat/cold interventions, diet, supplements and intermittent fasting patterns. The study involves a single participant -the principal investigator- who will adhere to a personalized regimen involving wearable monitoring of metabolic changes, training and intermittent fasting. This research seeks to understand the potential relationships between these factors, contributing to the emerging knowledge on individualized health optimization.

Conditions

• Intermittent Fasting
• Healthy
• Digital Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Glucose-Ketone Index (GKI) monitoring

Ketone and blood glucose monitoring with Abbott Optium Neo up to 10 times per day to observe GKI dynamics for gamification of adherence.

BEHAVIORAL

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Monitoring with an Abbott Freestyle Libre to observe glucose dynamics for gamification of adherence.

OTHER

Digital dynamometer

Grip strength measurements, right and left hand, up to 20 readings per day per hand.

DEVICE

Wearables

All Apple Watch 9 and Whoop data daily \[heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, cardio recovery, sleep duration, composition (stages of sleep) and analogous scores, potential maximum rate of oxygen consumption attainable during physical exertion (VO2 max), basal metabolic rate and potential respiratory rate\].

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Blood tests

Pre- and Post-fast (48h) testing of lipid panel, ApoB, ApoA1, CRP, interleukin panel, omega 3:6 ratio, and autophagy analysis. Potential CBC, renal and liver panels to be taken where appropriate.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Stool tests

15 g of stool will be collected from the subject pre- and post-fast for microbiome assessment and pre- and post- the first week (the "three meal phase"). After the first week, the maximum number of tests is four per month (maximum of two fasts, with a pre- and post-fast test for each fast).

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Saliva tests

Saliva samples will be collected from the subject pre- and post-fast for microbiome assessment. Maximum number of tests is four per month (maximum of two fasts, with a pre- and post-fast test for each fast).

BEHAVIORAL

Fitness intervention

90 minutes of strength and/or cardiovascular training for a minimum of 5 days per week.

BEHAVIORAL

Cold & heat intervention

Cold plunge: at least 3 days per week, 2 sessions of maximum 5 minutes each (minimum 2 minutes between sessions) at a minimum of 6 degrees Celsius. Potential inclusion of GKI measurements before and after plunge. Heat Therapy: maximum of 2 sessions of 20 minutes each of dry sauna blanket (minimum 5 minutes break between sessions) following the cold plunge intervention.

DEVICE

Airofit

Airofit is a smart breathing training device designed to improve respiratory strength and efficiency. It is used for enhancing sport performance, well-being, and overall health. The device works by providing adjustable resistance to breathing muscles. 5-10 minutes of daily use.

BEHAVIORAL

18h fasting

Minimum of 18 hours fasting per day, with feeding window to occur between 5pm-8pm or 12pm-3pm. The fasting procedures will occur only after the Three Meal Phase.

BEHAVIORAL

48h fasting

48h fasting maximum twice monthly, at least one week apart. Multivitamin and electrolytes with water, and black coffee or tea (0-calorie drinks) will be consumed.The fasting procedures will occur the Three Meal Phase.

BEHAVIORAL

Three meal phase

During the first week of the study, the participant will follow a regime of three meals per day.

BEHAVIORAL

Mediterranean-inspired diet

Regimen of Mediterranean-inspired nutrition comprised of Olive Oil, Olives, Leafy Green Vegetables, Lean Protein (Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pork, Duck, Salmon, Tuna), Chia Seeds, Pecans, Macadamia, Pumpkin Seeds, Walnuts, Greek Yogurt, Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Cumin, Garlic powder, onion powder; Fruit: Blueberry, Grapefruit; Carbohydrates: Rolled Oats; Hydration: Water, Black Coffee, Black Tea, Coke Zero and 100 Zero sparingly, Ultima electrolytes. Photographs of meals will be taken to create a visual record of the diet followed. Photographs of the devices will be taken to create a visual record of the blood glucose and ketone concentration results.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Supplements

Multivitamin (Centrum), Vitamin D (Up to 2000 IU per day), Creatine (Up to 2000mg), Fisetin (1 pill), Omega-3 (1 tablet), Turmeric, Pre-Probiotic, Blueberry Extract, Holy Basil Extract.

BEHAVIORAL

Generative AI

Feeding ketone data, glucose data (from finger prick and/or CGM), any/all Apple Watch Data, and dietary images into a generative AI platform to convert data into images using any selected prompts, with the intent of the images serving as immediate, visual readouts as a function of activity and/or inactivity.

OTHER

Interviews

Three interviews, of 30-60 minutes each one, at baseline, end of three meal phase and end of study, to gain insights into the participant's experience. Exploration of daily routines including diet, exercise and the use of technology and aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM)

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dean Ho, PhD · The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM)

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-07

Primary Completion

2025-06-07

Completion

2025-07-02

Countries

• Singapore

Study Locations