While intermittent fasting, which involves alternating eating and fasting times, has grown in favor as a weight control strategy, current study indicates that it may also have advantages for increasing longevity. Intermittent fasting has been demonstrated in studies on animals to lengthen life, and there is mounting evidence that it may have comparable effects in people.
The activation of cellular stress response pathways, known as “autophagy,” which serve to eliminate damaged cells and promote healthy cell development, is one of the primary processes by which intermittent fasting may increase lifespan. It has been demonstrated that this process, which is triggered during fasting periods, enhances cellular health and lowers the risk of age-related disorders like cancer and dementia.
Additionally, intermittent fasting has been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity, decrease inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress, all of which are risk factors for age-related illnesses.
According to a 2014 study that appeared in the journal Cell Metabolism, mice’s lifespans were up to 36% longer when they practiced intermittent fasting. A different 2019 study indicated that intermittent fasting increased stress tolerance and decreased the buildup of damaged cells in the worm species C. elegans, resulting in greater lifespan and healthspan.
Observational studies on humans have shown that those who engage in intermittent fasting have a lower risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes as well as a lower risk of death from all causes. According to a 2018 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology, intermittent fasters were less likely to pass away from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
It is important to note that the majority of research on the impact of intermittent fasting on longevity has been done on animals, and further study is required to determine the possible impacts on human lifetime. Additionally, as with any nutritional strategy, you should get medical advice before beginning, especially if you have any underlying health issues.
In conclusion, there is mounting evidence that intermittent fasting may help people live longer by improving cellular health and lowering their chance of developing age-related disorders. To fully comprehend the long-term implications of intermittent fasting on human lifespan, more research is nonetheless required.
References:
- Mattson, M. P., Longo, V. D., & Harvie, M. (2018). Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes. Ageing research reviews, 47, 1-16.
- Anson, R. M., Guo, Z., de Cabo, R., Iyun, T., Rios, M., Hagepanos, A., … & Mattson, M. P. (2003). Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100(10), 6216-6220.
- Raffaghello, L., Lee, C., Safdie, F. M., Wei, M., Madia, F., Bianchi, G., … & Longo, V. D. (2008). Starvation-dependent differential stress resistance protects normal but not cancer cells against high-dose chemotherapy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(24), 8215-8220.
- Longo, V. D., & Mattson, M. P. (2014). Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Cell metabolism, 19(2), 181-192.
- Zauner, C., Schneeweiss, B., Kranz, A., Madl, C., Ratheiser, K., Kramer,
