Intermittent Fasting Poses Risks for Teenagers, Study Finds
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Synopsis
A new study suggests that while intermittent fasting is beneficial for adults, it may pose risks to teenagers by impairing their cell development. Research from German institutions highlights the significant age-related differences in fasting outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Intermittent fasting may harm teenagers' cell development.
- Age significantly influences fasting outcomes.
- Long-term fasting disrupted insulin-producing beta cell growth in young mice.
- Insulin sensitivity improved in adult and older mice.
- Young mice showed impaired insulin production.
New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) Although intermittent fasting has gained immense popularity for its weight loss benefits and various health improvements, a recent animal study has indicated that it may not be safe for teenagers, potentially hindering their cell development.
A research team from Germany, affiliated with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Hospital Munich, and Helmholtz Munich, discovered that age significantly affects the results of intermittent fasting.
This dietary strategy involves limiting daily food intake to a six- to eight-hour window and is recognized for its positive effects on individuals with diabetes and heart disease, as well as for weight loss.
Published in the journal Cell Reports, their research revealed that long-term intermittent fasting adversely impacted the growth of insulin-producing beta cells in younger mice.
“Our findings affirm that while intermittent fasting is advantageous for adults, it may pose risks for children and teenagers,” stated Stephan Herzig, a professor at TUM and director of the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich.
In this study, adolescent, adult, and older mice underwent a one-day fasting period followed by two days of normal feeding.
After ten weeks, insulin sensitivity improved in both adult and older mice, indicating a more effective metabolic response to insulin secreted by the pancreas. This is crucial for maintaining blood sugar levels and preventing conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
In contrast, the adolescent mice exhibited a concerning decline in their beta cell functionality—the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. Inadequate insulin production is associated with diabetes and metabolic disruptions.
“Typically, intermittent fasting is believed to support beta cells, so we were astonished to discover that younger mice exhibited diminished insulin production following prolonged fasting,” explained Leonardo Matta from Helmholtz Munich.
Upon investigating the cause of the impaired beta cells in the pancreas, the researchers found that these cells in younger mice failed to mature properly.
When comparing their findings with data from human tissues, the study revealed that individuals with Type 1 diabetes, characterized by the destruction of beta cells due to an autoimmune response, displayed similar signs of impaired cell maturation.
