Effects of Intermittent Fasting Variations on Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Nutrigenomic Profiles in Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with prediabetes, defined according to ADA criteria (fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL or 2-hour postprandial glucose 140-199 mg/dL). 2. Willing to follow the fasting/diet intervention protocol for 4-6 weeks (depending on the study duration). 3. Signing informed consent and willing to be randomized into one of 3 intervention groups (Monday-Thursday Fasting/5:2, Alternate-Day Fasting/ADF, or Time-Restricted Fasting/IF). Exclusion Criteria 1. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. 2. Currently undergoing antidiabetic drug therapy (e.g., metformin, sulfonylurea, insulin). 3. Has a severe chronic disease (kidney failure, liver failure, heart failure, or eating disorder). 4. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. 5. History of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder). 6. Taking medications that affect glucose metabolism (e.g., systemic steroids, atypical antipsychotics, etc.). Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes