Could intermittent fasting help boost longevity?

Scientists in America are joining forces to answer the question of whether intermittent fasting can help slow the ageing process in humans.

Research has shown that the eating pattern that switches between periods of fasting and dining each day or week can help people lose weight and may be easier to follow than a traditional calorie-counting diet.

But whilst studies in animals suggest intermittent fasting slows ageing and helps them live longer, there is nothing to say it would have the same effect on humans.

Now researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, are collaborating on the DiAL-Health study to determine if intermittent fasting or calorie restriction can slow ageing and improve health in physically well people who are either lean or somewhat overweight.

It is hoped the study will help determine if either dietary approach can improve ageing biomarkers and boost healthspan – the length of a person’s life free of diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Both diabetes and high blood pressure – also called hypertension –  are serious conditions affecting many older adults, and the two disorders usually go hand-in-hand.

This new study is being led by Dr Corby Martin, professor and director of the Ingestive Behaviour, Weight Management and Health Promotion Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical; Dr Leanne Redman, professor and director of Pennington Biomedical’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Women’s Health Laboratory; and Dr Courtney Peterson from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr Martin said: “We have known for almost a hundred years that eating less extends an animal’s healthspan and lifespan. Although eating less also slows ageing in humans, it can be difficult to follow.

“Recently, however, studies have shown that intermittent fasting affects ageing in a similar way in animals. Since intermittent fasting may be easier to follow than calorie counting, we are excited to see if intermittent fasting may be an easier way to become healthy and slow the ageing process.”

Dr Redman commented that this new study is particularly innovative as “it will use newly developed smartphone apps to help people stick with the programme with minimal support from health coaches.”

In addition to affecting well-being and possibly longevity, both diets also promote weight loss, which can help address the global obesity epidemic, currently one of the most conspicuous – yet most neglected – public health issues which can lead to an array of serious illnesses.

Dr John Kirwan, executive director of Pennington Biomedical Research Centre, said: “Obesity is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases nationally (referring to the US). This study is an important contribution to our understanding of how intermittent fasting can help individuals to lose or maintain weight.”

There is much anecdotal evidence that following certain diets can help increase longevity, whether it be intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, or the ketogenic diet consisting of high fats, moderate proteins and low carbohydrates, which forces the body to burn calories.

One of the best known is the Okinawans who live on a group of islands, once known as the land of immortals, at the southern end of Japan. Okinawans eat around 20% less calories than those living on the mainland and get about 85% of their energy from carbohydrates.

Statistics show they have a 40% greater chance of living to 100 than other Japanese people, and have remarkably low rates of age-associated illnesses like diabetes, dementia, cancer, and heart disease.