Recently, Isagenix, in collaboration with scientists from Skidmore College and Arizona State University, published a study evaluating the benefits and differences between one and two back-to-back Cleanse Days. The scientists published these findings in the peer-reviewed Nutrition Journal (1).

Now, from that same study, these authors have published an analysis of the effects of both one and two-day cleanses on gut microbiome composition and measures of digestive health in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition (2). The results revealed that both intermittent fasting protocols led to beneficial shifts in the participants’ gut microbiome. Interestingly, the two-Cleanse Day protocol significantly reduced the participants’ experience of gastrointestinal symptoms, while neither group reported stomach upset or bowel irregularity. These findings add gut microbiome benefits to previously observed benefits with the Isagenix weight loss systems that included weight loss, favorable modifications to body composition, improvements in metabolic and cardiovascular indicators, and bolstering of antioxidant and detoxification defenses (3-6).

The gut microbiome consists of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, present in our gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiome composition is an intense area of scientific research, and this composition may be associated with overall health and wellness. Although it is yet unclear what makes up a “healthy microbiome,” most experts believe that it consists of a wide diversity and favorable balance of “good” bacteria compared to bacteria associated with negative health consequences. Furthermore, nutritional modification through diet and supplements is one means for beneficially affecting this balance.

Study Design

To compare the effects of the Cleanse Day protocols, researchers assigned either one or two back-to-back Cleanse Days per week to 20 overweight or obese individuals following the Isagenix weight loss system for four weeks. Therefore, half the subjects cleansed four times in the month, and others eight times. However, both groups consumed similar caloric intakes weekly to ensure any differences in Cleanse Day benefits were due to cleansing itself and not total calories consumed.

Study Results

After four weeks of following an intermittent fasting protocol, the researchers reported the following:

  • An association between an individual’s baseline microbiome profile and body fat loss following four weeks on the Isagenix system.
  • Both intermittent fasting protocols significantly altered the gut microbiome towards a more “gut healthy” favorable profile.
  • The two-day Cleanse Day protocol significantly reduced gastrointestinal symptoms compared to the participants’ baseline symptoms before beginning the study; neither protocol increased gastrointestinal problems.

Overall, these findings suggest that either Cleanse Day approach supports a healthy gut microbiome.

References

  1. Arciero PJ, Arciero KM, Poe M, Mohr AE, Ives SJ, Arciero A, Boyce M, Zhang J, Haas M, Valdez E, Corbet D, Judd K, Smith A, Furlong O, Wahler M, Gumpricht E. Intermittent fasting two days versus one day per week, matched for total energy intake and expenditure, increases weight loss in overweight/obese men and women. Nutr J. 2022 Jun 4;21(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s12937-022-00790-0.
  2. Mohr AE, Jasbi P, Bowes DA, Dirks B, Whisner CM, Arciero KM, Poe M, Gu H, Gumpricht E, Sweazea KL, Arciero PJ. Exploratory analysis of one versus two-day intermittent fasting protocols on the gut microbiome and plasma metabolome in adults with overweight/obesity. Front Nutr. 2022 Oct 26;9:1036080. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1036080.
  3. Arciero PJ, Edmonds R, He F, Ward E, Gumpricht E, Mohr A, Ormsbee MJ, Astrup A. Protein-Pacing Caloric-Restriction Enhances Body Composition Similarly in Obese Men and Women during Weight Loss and Sustains Efficacy during Long-Term Weight Maintenance. Nutrients. 2016;8(8):476.
  4. Zuo L, He F, Tinsley GM, Pannell BK, Ward E, Arciero PJ. Comparison of High-Protein, Intermittent Fasting Low-Calorie Diet and Heart Healthy Diet for Vascular Health of the Obese. Front Physiol. 2016;7:350.
  5. He F, Zuo L, Ward E, Arciero PJ. Serum Polychlorinated Biphenyls Increase and Oxidative Stress Decreases with a Protein-Pacing Caloric Restriction Diet in Obese Men and Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Jan 10;14(1):59.
  6. Kroeger CM, Klempel MC, Bhutani S, Trepanowski JF, Tangney CC, Varady KA. Improvement in coronary heart disease risk factors during an intermittent fasting/calorie restriction regimen: Relationship to adipokine modulations. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012 Oct 31;9(1):98.