The Claim

In obese adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m², a 10-day protein-sparing modified fast delivered via nasogastric tube followed by 20 days of a low-calorie diet is associated with a mean weight loss of 6.1 kg after 10 days and 5.9 kg after 30 days, with fat mass decreasing by 3.8 kg while fat-free mass remained stable after 30 days.

Source: Feasibility of protein-sparing modified fast by tube (ProMoFasT) in obesity treatment: a phase II pilot trial on clinical safety and efficacy (appetite control, body composition, muscular strength, metabolic pattern, pulmonary function test)

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
45score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Obese adults with a BMI of 30 or higher who followed a 10-day protein-sparing fast through a feeding tube and then a 20-day low-calorie diet lost 6.1 kilograms after 10 days and 5.9 kilograms after 30 days, with 3.8 kilograms of the loss coming from fat mass while muscle mass did not change.

See the scientific wording

In obese adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m², a 10-day protein-sparing modified fast delivered via nasogastric tube followed by 20 days of a low-calorie diet is associated with a mean weight loss of 6.1 kg after 10 days and 5.9 kg after 30 days, with fat mass decreasing by 3.8 kg while fat-free mass remained stable after 30 days, suggesting this protocol may promote preferential fat loss without significant muscle wasting.

Why this might work

When no carbohydrates are consumed, the body stops producing insulin and starts burning fat for energy instead. Fat breaks down into fatty acids and ketones, which the brain and muscles use as fuel. This stops the body from breaking down muscle to make glucose. Enough protein is provided to repair tissues and build new proteins, so muscle stays intact while fat keeps shrinking.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Feasibility of protein-sparing modified fast by tube (ProMoFasT) in obesity treatment: a phase II pilot trial on clinical safety and efficacy (appetite control, body composition, muscular strength, metabolic pattern, pulmonary function test)

    This study tested a special tube-fed diet for obese people and found they lost weight mostly from fat, not muscle, in just 30 days — exactly what the claim says. No serious side effects happened.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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