Intermittent fasting and longevity: From animal models to implication for humans

Area of Science:

• Metabolic Health
• Longevity Science
• Nutritional Neuroscience

Background:

• Intermittent fasting (IF) is gaining recognition as a therapeutic strategy for age-related conditions and lifespan extension.
• Varied IF schedules share common physiological mechanisms, including metabolic switching from glucose to fatty acids and ketones.
• Optimized energy utilization is a key factor in the beneficial effects of IF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted benefits of intermittent fasting (IF).
• To explore IF's impact on metabolism, endocrine and cardiovascular systems, cancer prevention, brain health, neurodegeneration, and aging.
• To compare outcomes and mechanisms from rodent models and human studies.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental studies on rodent models.
• Analysis of human investigations and clinical trials.
• Comparative analysis of IF outcomes and underlying physiological mechanisms.

Main Results:

• IF improves physiological function, enhances performance, and mitigates aging and disease processes.
• Evidence from human and animal studies supports IF's role in slowing aging.
• IF demonstrates benefits across metabolic, endocrine, cardiovascular, and neurological systems.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic and cellular adaptations induced by IF contribute to disease prevention.
• IF holds promise for maximizing healthspan and longevity with minimal adverse effects.
• IF represents a viable non-pharmacological intervention for promoting healthy aging.