Incredible Ways Body Fat Affects Your Intermittent Fasting Experience

Intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular approach to enhance health and boost metabolism. However, recent research indicates that its advantages may be diminished by body fat due to inconspicuous disruptions in the liver’s hunger adaptation.

In a study, researchers assessed liver modifications in both healthy and obese mice that lacked leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, during food deprivation periods. Intermittent fasting entails extended calorie restriction followed by a regular eating window.

Both mouse groups exhibited similar metabolic networks, comprising liver molecules that collaboratively manage energy; however, significant differences in timing were observed.

“In a healthy liver, energy-centric molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) quickly respond to starvation and modulate various metabolic reactions,” stated Professor Shinya Kuroda in BBC Science Focus.

“This mechanism appears to be deficient and confused in obese individuals.”

To put it differently, in healthy mice, energy-related molecules like ATP and AMP operate as primary hubs, swiftly adapting metabolic responses to conserve and redistribute energy. Conversely, in obese mice, these molecules did not exhibit a quick response, resulting in a sluggish and disoriented reaction to starvation.

A rapid response from ATP and AMP during periods of food scarcity enables the liver to utilize energy from stored reserves. This process is believed to facilitate several benefits of intermittent fasting, such as weight reduction and better glycemic control.

Through a combination of structural and temporal metabolic analyses, the research team elucidates how obesity induces metabolic “jet lag,” complicating not just the timing but also the manner in which crucial molecular events transpire.

“Our findings could have significant implications for enhancing the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in humans,” Kuroda remarked.

“Next, we aim to identify easily detectable blood-based biomarkers in humans,” Kuroda added. “Ultimately, clinical research is necessary to assess our findings. The journey is lengthy, but every thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.”

This research was published in Science Signaling.

About Our Experts

Shinya Kuroda is a professor at the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan, focusing on Systems Biology. His research includes publications in Cell, Journal of Biochemistry, and Natural Cell Biology.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New study suggests simple diet hacks are more effective than intermittent fasting for weight loss

A bowl of warm pasta, a fluffy white bread roll, or a bag of generously salted chips – these starchy delights are like dreams. No wonder many of us couldn’t imagine giving up carbs forever.

But according to Research by the University of Surrey, spending just one day without carbohydrates has a similar effect on the body as intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting, also known as time-limited feeding, involves alternating normal feeding periods with significantly reduced calorie intake periods. These fasting windows can be scheduled at specific times each day or throughout the week.

While this approach has various health benefits, consuming less than 800 calories a day, as recommended on the popular 5:2 diet, can be challenging for some individuals.

However, this new study suggests that reducing calories significantly on fasting days may not be necessary. Simply cutting out carbohydrates can provide similar fat-burning benefits.

“What we’re interested in is not necessarily weight loss, but the metabolic effect of this dietary intervention,” said Dr. Adam Collins, the study co-author and an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

The study, which aimed to investigate the effects of carbohydrates on metabolic health, involved 12 overweight or obese adults aged 20 to 65.

Participants followed three different meal plans with five-day breaks between each diet day for 36 hours (one day and two nights of sleep). The meal plans included a normal meal, a low-carb diet with the same calorie intake as a regular diet, and a low-carb diet with reduced calories.

Results showed that consuming a low-carb diet, regardless of calorie intake, encouraged the body to burn fat for energy similar to a fasting diet.

Carbohydrates include starches such as potatoes and pasta, grains such as rice and oats, baked goods such as bread and pastries, fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits, and sugar confectionery such as sweets and chocolate.

Dr. Collins explained that the body is designed to use carbohydrates for energy after meals and fats between meals and overnight. Consuming carbs too frequently can lead to poor management of metabolism.

Intermittent fasting or reducing carbohydrate intake helps the body reset and start burning fat for energy. Dr. Collins also emphasized that while restricting carbs long-term may hinder glucose processing, alternating low-carb days with regular meal days can be a sustainable and beneficial approach for metabolic health.

He concluded by saying, “Food is not a sin. Carbs aren’t bad. Fats aren’t bad. It’s all about moderation.”

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About our experts:

Dr. Adam Collins: An associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey’s School of Biological Sciences. With over 20 years of experience as a qualified nutritionist, he leads BSC and MSC nutrition programs at Sally. His current research focuses on exercise intensity, energy balance, intermittent fasting, dietary timing and composition, and carbohydrate manipulation for metabolic health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Research indicates that intermittent fasting may have a major impact on slowing down hair growth

Intermittent fasting can be effective for weight loss, but it can also have negative effects on hair growth, as shown in a recent mouse experiment conducted by researchers at Westlake University in China. The study found that mice undergoing intermittent fasting experienced improved metabolic health but showed delayed hair regrowth. This link between restrictive eating and hair regrowth was also observed in a study published in Cell.

While similar effects may occur in humans, they are typically less severe due to differences in metabolic rate and hair growth patterns. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the potential unintended consequences of intermittent fasting, as highlighted by senior author and stem cell biologist Dr. Bing Zhang.

Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of fasting on hair growth, as current studies have primarily focused on its benefits for blood, muscle tissue supply, and metabolism. The research team at Westlake University conducted experiments on mice to explore the impact of intermittent fasting on hair regrowth, with findings suggesting that prolonged fasting stresses hair follicle stem cells, leading to delayed hair growth.

A small clinical trial involving 49 healthy young individuals showed that time-restricted eating with 18 hours of daily fasting reduced hair growth by an average of 18 percent. However, the researchers caution that the study’s small sample size and short duration may yield different results in larger-scale studies.

Future research will investigate how fasting affects other types of stem cells in the body and its implications for wound healing speed. Despite the potential drawbacks, intermittent fasting remains a popular and beneficial practice for many individuals.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Fasting Can Impact Your Longevity

Various methods have been attempted to combat aging, but without breakthroughs in anti-aging drugs, scientists are focusing on lifestyle changes, particularly diet.

A recent study suggests that dietary restriction, which involves reducing total daily calorie intake, has a greater impact on shortening lifespan compared to intermittent fasting. The study, published in the magazine nature, involved tracking the health of 960 mice fed different diets, highlighting the importance of diet in longevity.

However, while the study provides valuable insights, experts caution against directly applying the results to humans, emphasizing the need for careful consideration due to the differences between mice and humans.

The study revealed that mice on a low-calorie diet lived longer on average, with those consuming 60% of their baseline calories having the longest lifespan. Surprisingly, the very low-calorie diet consistently extended the mice’s lifespans, showcasing the importance of resilience in maintaining health.

Genetic factors may also play a role in how different individuals respond to diet and weight loss, highlighting the complexity of longevity and the need for personalized approaches.

Ultimately, the study sheds light on the intricate relationship between diet, weight loss, and longevity, emphasizing the importance of moderation and resilience in achieving long-term health goals.

Your genetics may be interfering.

Individual variability and resilience to weight loss were key factors observed in the study, with genetic factors potentially influencing the effects of diet on lifespan. Maintaining a healthy immune system and avoiding extreme weight loss were associated with longer lifespan in mice.

While metabolic markers like weight and body fat are important indicators of overall health, the study suggests that caloric restriction may have a more significant impact on longevity than previously thought.

Experts stress the importance of individualized approaches to diet and weight loss based on genetic factors and resilience, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of longevity and health.

About our experts

Dr. Andrew Steele, a scientist and author, delves into the science of aging and longevity in his book Ageless: The new science of growing older without getting older. His interdisciplinary background allows him to provide unique insights into aging and health.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Guaranteed Method to Lose Weight and Maintain it: The Power of Fasting

In the past, intermittent fasting was not a choice due to scarcity of food. People would go hours or days without eating. Today, we have access to food whenever we want. This shift in eating habits has led to questions about the benefits of fasting and its potential reintroduction.

Intermittent fasting usually involves limiting food intake to specific times or days, like eating only for eight hours out of 24 (16:8 diet) or restricting calories for two days out of seven (5:2 diet).


Strong Points

Intermittent fasting can help with weight loss, particularly fat loss, as it reduces overall caloric intake. It also provides structure to eating days and can be flexible and intuitive. Some benefits include decreased hunger, lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, reduced appetite, and improved fat burning.

Fasting may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve vascular health. Research shows that intermittent fasting is beneficial for cardiometabolic health and may have positive effects on long-term cardiovascular health.

There is evidence to suggest that fasting can protect against issues related to aging, improve autophagy, and potentially benefit brain health and cancer risk, but more research is needed to support these claims.

Cons

Concerns about fasting include potential muscle loss and the lack of long-term studies to support its safety. Some studies suggest that restricting eating to less than eight hours a day could increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, but data collection methods and sample sizes in these studies may be flawed.

There is also a risk of reduced protein intake with intermittent fasting, which could be problematic for some individuals, especially those with a history of eating disorders or health conditions that require regular meals.

Experts recommend ensuring adequate protein intake and incorporating strength training if trying intermittent fasting. It’s important to approach fasting like any other diet, not as a permanent solution, and to pay attention to food choices when breaking the fast.

About our experts

Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. Darryl Gioffre, Brady Holmer, and Drew Price are experts in their fields and have published work related to intermittent fasting, nutrition, and health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Intermittent fasting linked to higher risk of heart disease-related death

Eating within eight hours, commonly known as the 16:8 diet, is a common form of fasting.

Christina Pedrazzini/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Restricting eating time to eight hours a day (a common type of intermittent fasting) is associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease. However, some scientists believe that people with pre-existing health conditions may unconsciously eat intermittent meals if their symptoms or treatments affect their appetite and perhaps the quality of the meal is more important than the time of the meal. It claims that you may choose to fast.

It has long been reported that time-restricted eating can lead to improvement. blood pressure, Blood glucose level and cholesterol levelbut the long-term effects are unknown.

You can learn more about Chong Wenze Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and their colleagues surveyed about 20,000 adults (almost evenly split between men and women) who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Their average age was 49 years, and just under three-quarters were non-Hispanic white.

Each year from 2003 to 2018, study participants self-reported their dietary information. The researchers then matched this with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention death records from 2003 to 2019. Participants were eligible if they were 20 years of age or older and had completed two dietary questionnaires within one year of the study.

Over an average 8-year follow-up period, the research team found that even though intermittent fasting is often praised, people who ate in an 8-hour window per day were less likely to eat on a 12-hour daily eating schedule. They discovered that they cannot live longer than humans for ~16 hours. For longevity benefits.

Researchers also found that people who followed an eight-hour eating schedule were 91 percent more likely to die from heart disease during the follow-up period than those who ate for 12 to 16 hours or more.

Among people diagnosed with heart disease before the study, those who ate for more than 8 to 10 hours had a 66% higher risk of dying from heart disease than those who ate for more than 12 to 16 hours. Among people diagnosed with cancer, eating for more than 16 hours had a lower risk of dying from cancer than those on a more restrictive eating schedule.

The study, presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Epidemiology and Prevention Conference in Chicago, does not prove that time-restricted eating caused these deaths, Zhong said. To tell.

They said it was important to consider why participants practiced time-restricted eating. benjamin horn at Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some people may have adopted this pattern intentionally, he says, while others may have limited eating windows due to health conditions or treatments that affect their appetite.

He says some people may have restricted eating schedules because of limited access to food. jo ann carson, former chair of the AHA Nutrition Committee. According to research, Food insecurity is linked to unhealthy lifestyles that lead to heart disease. “We also don’t know anything about the health of the food they ate,” Carson said.

The authors acknowledge in their paper that their study relied on self-reported dietary information, which may be inaccurate. They plan to investigate whether this finding applies to a wider range of ethnic groups and how fasting may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.

People who want to reduce their chances of dying prematurely “should aim for an overall heart-healthy eating pattern, regardless of mealtime,” Carson says. People who want to start intermittent fasting should talk to their doctor first, Horn says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Intermittent Fasting Linked to Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality

A recent extensive study involving 20,000 adults discovered that time-restricted eating, a form of intermittent fasting, can significantly increase the risk of death, casting doubt on the efficacy of healthy eating.

The study, published by the American Heart Association, revealed that restricting eating to less than eight hours a day raised the risk of cardiovascular death by an alarming 91%. Over a span of up to 17 years, the study found no decrease in the risk of any specific cause of death by restricting meals to eight hours or less.

Lead author Professor Victor Wenze Zhong expressed surprise at the study’s results, stating, “We had anticipated that adopting an 8-hour time-restricted diet long-term would lead to reduced cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality.” He added, “Although this diet has been popular for its short-term benefits, our study revealed that compared to the typical 12 to 16-hour eating window, shorter meal times showed no association with living longer.”


Although the reasons behind the increased risk of cardiovascular death from time-restricted eating are not fully understood, it is suggested that muscle mass loss due to dietary restriction may be a contributing factor.

In recent years, time-restricted eating has gained popularity for its potential health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Many people follow a 16:8 schedule, consuming all meals within an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours.

However, despite short-term benefits, recent findings suggest potential long-term negative effects of time-restricted eating, especially an 8-hour window, on cardiovascular health.

Experts caution that further research is needed to fully understand the impact of time-restricted eating and its implications for long-term health. Specific recommendations regarding time-restricted eating should be made with caution based on current evidence.

About our experts:

Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong is a professor and chair at the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He is actively involved in nutritional epidemiology research and serves on various councils related to heart health.

Dr. Christopher Gardner is a professor at Stanford University focusing on the health benefits of different dietary components and patterns. With extensive research in cardiovascular health and nutrition, he provides valuable insights into the impact of diet on overall well-being.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study claims new diet that mimics fasting could reverse biological age

A new study led by the University of South Carolina Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that fasting-mimetic dieting (FMD) cycles can significantly reduce disease risk factors and decrease human biological age. FMD was developed by Professor Walter Longo and his team, involving a five-day diet high in unsaturated fats and low in overall calories, protein, and carbohydrates. The diet mimics the effects of water-only fasting while providing necessary nutrients and making fasting more manageable for individuals.

During the five-day fasting period, participants were allowed to consume specified amounts of plant-based soups, energy bars, energy drinks, chip snacks, and tea and given supplements to ensure they didn’t miss out on important vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Previous studies have shown the various health benefits of FMD, including promoting stem cell regeneration, reducing chemotherapy side effects, and decreasing signs of dementia in mice. The recent study focuses on the effects of FMD on human immune system aging, insulin resistance, liver fat, and biological age.

The research team analyzed two groups of men and women aged 18-70 who received three to four cycles of FMD per month. The results showed reductions in diabetes risk factors, reduced fat in the abdomen and liver, and rejuvenation of the immune system. Data analysis also demonstrated that FMD participants lost an average of 2.5 years in biological age.

Professor Longo hopes these findings will encourage more doctors to recommend FMD cycles to patients with elevated risk factors for disease and to the general public interested in improving their health and vitality. He suggested that healthy people between the ages of 20 and 70 should consider trying FMD two or three times a year, cautioning that there may be concerns when used in combination with certain diabetes medications.

About our experts:

Walter Longo is the Edna M. Jones Professor of Gerontology and Biological Sciences and Director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com