Low-frequency intermittent fasting prompts anti-inflammatory response

Medical XPress / Intermountain Healthcare / American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021 ^ | Nov. 13, 2021 | Joseph B. Muhlestein, MD; Heidi T. May; Viet T. Le; Tami L. Bair et al

[ConservativeMind]

Intermittent fasting may not only be a hot dieting trend, but it also has broader health benefits, including helping to fight inflammation, according to a new study.

Previous research has shown that intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating, may improve health markers not related to weight. Now, the new research shows that intermittent fasting raises the levels of galectin-3, a protein tied to inflammatory response.

"Inflammation is associated with higher risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. We're encouraged to see evidence that intermittent fasting is prompting the body to fight inflammation and lowering those risks," said Benjamin Horne, Ph.D.

These results found that intermittent fasting causes declines in the metabolic syndrome score (MSS) and insulin resistance.

After 26 weeks, researchers then measured participants' galectin-3, and found that it was higher in the intermittent fasting group. They also found lower rates of HOMA-IR (insulin resistance) and MSS (metabolic syndrome), which researchers believe may be similar to the reported effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors, a class of drugs used to lower high glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients.

"In finding higher levels of galectin-3 in patients who fasted, these results provide an interesting mechanism potentially involved in helping reduce the risk of heart failure and diabetes," said Dr. Horne, who added that a few members of the trial team completed the same regime before the study started to make sure that it was doable and not overly taxing to participants.

"Unlike some IF diet plans that are incredibly restrictive and promise magic weight loss, this isn't a drastic form of fasting. The best routine is one that patients can stick to over the long term, and this study shows that even occasional fasting can have positive health effects," he added.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

The article specifies a once-per-week water-only fasting, so that would preclude a 16/8 or a 5:2.

[P.O.E.]

Gee, seems like I dimly recall something about Fridays and fast days and some religion thingy.

/s

[Chicory]

I know, right! Remember meatless Mondays?

And the Catholics and Orthodox have/had not only fasting on Fridays, but many other days for fasting.

Hmm, and didn’t everyone’s weight start going up when we gave up on that medieval stuff in the 1960s?

[Albion Wilde]

I know, right? And that reaaly old book said something about prayer and fasting being the only way to drive out evil spirits…

[TXBlair]

Bkmk

[Trillian]

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