Metabolic

New Healthcare Study Shows Intermittent Low-Frequency Fasting Induces Anti-Inflammatory Response

(Intermountain HealthcareIn addition to being a hot diet trend, intermittent fasting may have broader health benefits, including fighting inflammation, according to a new study by researchers at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute in Salt Lake City.

Previous research has shown that intermittent fasting, a eating pattern that alternates between fasting and eating phases, can improve health markers unrelated to weight. Now, new Intermountain research shows that intermittent fasting increases levels of galectin-3, a protein that is linked to inflammatory responses.

“Inflammation is linked to a higher risk of developing several chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. We are encouraged to see evidence that intermittent fasting causes the body to fight inflammation and lower those risks, ”said Benjamin Horne, PhD, lead researcher on the study and director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute.

The results of the study were presented at the American Heart Association’s 2021 Scientific Sessions last month.

These results are part of Intermountains WONDERFUL exam Intermittent fasting study, which found that intermittent fasting leads to a decrease in Metabolic Syndrome (MSS) and insulin resistance.

This specific study looked at 67 patients, ages 21 to 70, all of whom had at least one characteristic of metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. Participants were also not taking any anti-diabetic or statin medication, and had raised LDL cholesterol levels.

Of the 67 patients studied, 36 were prescribed an intermittent fasting scheme: water only twice a week, 24 hours of fasting for four weeks, then water once a week, 24 hours of fasting for 22 weeks. It was not possible to fast on consecutive days. The remaining 31 participants did not change their diet or lifestyle.

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

“By finding higher galectin-3 levels in fasting patients, these results represent an interesting mechanism that may help reduce the risk of heart failure and diabetes,” said Dr. Horne, adding that some members of the study team completed the same regimen before starting the study to make sure it was doable and not unduly stressful on participants.

“Unlike some IF diet plans, which are incredibly restrictive and promise magical weight loss, this is not a drastic form of fasting. The best routine is one that patients can stick to long term, and this study shows that even occasional fasting can have beneficial health effects, ”he added.

Intermountain Healthcare’s research team includes: Horne, Joseph B. Muhlestein, MD; Heidi T. Mai; Viet T. Le; Tami L. Bair; Kirk U. Knowlton, MD; and Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD.

For more information on Intermountain Healthcare, visit theirs website.

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