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New Research Highlights Age-Dependent Effects of Intermittent Fasting
A recent investigation has uncovered that age significantly influences the effects of intermittent fasting, particularly concerning the development of insulin-producing beta cells. Conducted by experts from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Hospital Munich, and Helmholtz Munich, the study observed that chronic intermittent fasting negatively impacted young mice, which raises alarms regarding potential risks for human adolescents.
“While intermittent fasting is recognized for its numerous benefits, such as enhancing metabolism and aiding weight control as well as reducing heart disease risks, the side effects have not been fully explored until now,” stated Alexander Bartelt, the Else Kröner Fresenius Professor and Chair of Translational Nutritional Medicine at TUM. He emphasized that recent findings indicate potential long-term detriments to metabolism in those who engage in fasting during their teenage years.
Fasting Benefits Older Mice but Harms Younger Ones
The research encompassed three distinct groups of mice: adolescents, adults, and older rodents. The mice were subjected to fasting for one day, followed by normal feeding for two days. After a period of ten weeks, insulin sensitivity was notably improved in adult and older mice, suggesting that their metabolism was able to respond more effectively to pancreatic insulin. This insulin response is crucial for maintaining stable blood sugar levels and preventing issues such as type 2 diabetes.
Contrastingly, the adolescent mice exhibited a concerning decline in their beta cell functionality, which is vital for insulin production. A lack of sufficient insulin secretion is associated with diabetes and metabolic disturbances. “It is generally believed that intermittent fasting benefits beta cells, so our findings regarding reduced insulin production in younger mice after prolonged fasting were unexpected,” remarked Leonardo Matta from Helmholtz Munich, a lead author on the study.
Observations of Beta Cell Malfunction
The researchers employed advanced single-cell sequencing techniques to investigate the root cause of beta cell dysfunction. Their analysis revealed that beta cells in the younger mice did not mature appropriately. “At a certain point, the developing cells in adolescent mice ceased to progress properly, leading to diminished insulin production,” noted Peter Weber from Helmholtz Munich, another lead researcher. In contrast, older mice, whose beta cells were already fully developed prior to fasting, were not adversely affected.
Link to Type 1 Diabetes
In comparing their findings to human data, the team discovered that individuals with type 1 diabetes—a condition characterized by the destruction of beta cells due to autoimmune reactions—exhibited similar signs of impaired cellular maturation. This points to a potential relevance of the mouse study findings for human health. “Our research corroborates the notion that intermittent fasting is advantageous for adults; however, it may pose risks for children and teens,” commented Stephan Herzig, a professor at TUM and director of the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich. “Moving forward, we aim to explore the molecular mechanisms behind these results. Gaining insights into how to foster healthy beta cell development could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes by enhancing insulin production.”
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