Research has shown that intermittent fasting can have positive effects on longevity and weight loss. However, a recent study from MIT sheds light on the potential drawbacks of excessive fasting. According to The dark side of fasting's regenerative power, published in the journal Nature, fasting can activate a pathway in the mouse intestine that promotes stem cell regeneration, essential for healing.
The study revealed that while fasting triggers this regenerative process, it also increases the risk of cancerous mutations developing into early-stage tumors when eating resumes. Lead author Professor Omer Yilmaz explains that while stem cell activity is crucial for regeneration, an excess of it can have negative consequences in the long run.
By studying the effects of fasting on stem cells in mice, the researchers observed that the most significant proliferation of stem cells occurred during the refeeding period after fasting. This heightened regenerative state, activated by nutrients, can make stem cells more susceptible to cancer promotion.
While the study was conducted in mice with specific cancer mutations, the researchers caution that the findings may not directly translate to humans. They plan to conduct human trials to validate their results and explore alternative methods, such as polyamine supplements, to stimulate regeneration without fasting.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
