Intermittent period of fasting promotes longevity
Today, many people are adopting an ecological lifestyle as well as organic food, and fasting is particularly popular. It appears in an American study that alternating between fasting and a balanced diet would improve the lifespan of the body’s cells, thus promoting longevity .
Stress the body by alternating between fasting and a normal diet
Researchers from the University of Florida in the United States conducted a study to identify and define the role of fasting on our cells. This one published in the journal Rejuvenation Research, consists of a clinical trial carried out on 24 participants .
The volunteers alternated for 3 weeks, two different diets: the first includes an intake equivalent to 25% of the average daily caloric intake, or approximately 650 calories. The second is 175% of the necessary daily caloric intake, about 4550 calories.
The participants therefore alternated these two diets for 3 weeks, integrating food supplements, in particular vitamin C and E, into their diet.
A protective protein
The researchers analyzed the different health parameters of the 24 participants, with vital parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.), as well as weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and genes playing a role in cell protection mechanisms.
Scientists have found that proteins called sirtuins are found in greater amounts in cells throughout the body.
Activated by the SIRT3 gene, these proteins make it possible in particular to prevent cell aging and promote longevity.
Sirtuin proteins are secreted primarily when the body is under so-called oxidative stress , such as during fasting, and does not have enough antioxidants to cope with this stress.
It therefore appears that fasting carried out under control, without adding antioxidants, such as vitamin C generally, promotes the secretion of sirtuin proteins, improving the lifespan of cells.
These results need to be confirmed by other studies . However, these results seem to show that a period of intermittent fasting could provide health benefits, thus increasing longevity. However, let us remain cautious, given the relatively small sample (24 people) which made it possible to reach such conclusions.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.