While intermittent fasting has been shown effective for extending the life of rats, new research from the University of Florida reveals even better news: It could do the same for humans.
According to the research, reported in the current issue of Rejuvenation Research, people who practiced intermittent fasting showed an increase in something called SIRT3–a gene that increases longevity.
In turn, it also triggered protective pathways in cells, something that could also improve a person’s lifespan.
“We found that intermittent fasting caused a slight increase to SIRT 3, a well-known gene that promotes longevity and is involved in protective cell responses,” says Michael Guo, a University of Florida student currently enrolled in the genetics program at Harvard Medical School. “The protein SIRT3 belongs to a class of proteins called sirtuins. Sirtuins, if increased in mice, can extend their lifespans.”
Recruiting 24 participants who were in good health, researchers first had them eat only 25 percent of their regular dietary intake, reducing their calories by as much as 650 calories per day, according to some reports. The next day, however, they were allowed to gorge to excess, eating up to 175 percent of their daily intake. Researchers then had them repeat the process for 3 weeks, keeping track of their health parameters as they fasted and gorged.
By the end of the 3 week period, they found that SIRT3, the longevity gene, increased dramatically. Oddly enough, researchers also found that they had a harder time gorging on meals, meaning that this method could also keep people from eating too much food in the long run.
“Most of the participants found that fasting was easier than the feasting day, which was a little bit surprising to me,” says Guo. “On the feasting days, we had some trouble giving them enough calories.”
While the evidence isn’t enough to determine a specific cause-and-effect response, it does show that it increases a specific gene associated with a longer lifespan. And, if future studies are able to replicate these findings, it may finally be proof that intermittent fasting is good for us–not just for losing weight, but for living a longer, healthier life as well.
Better yet, it’s easier to maintain than a low-calorie diet overall.
“People don’t want to just under-eat for their whole lives,” asys Martin Wegmen, co-author of the study and a University of Florida College of Medicine M.D.-Ph.D. student. “We started thinking about the concept of intermittent fasting.”
What You Should Do
Want to try a fun way to lose weight and perhaps live longer too? Then try intermittent fasting–an alternating fast-and-gorging ritual that allows you to eat your favorite foods and slim down too.
Readers: Have you tried this diet before? If so, what do you think about it?
Sources:
Feast-and-Famine Diet Could Help Extend Life, Study Suggests – ScienceDaily.com
Practicality of Intermittent Fasting in Humans and its Effect on Oxidative Stress and Genes (Study) – LiebertPub.com
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