Study Finds that Fasting Extends Lifespan
According to a February 20 report by the British "Daily Mail," American scientists have made a new discovery: regular fasting can improve brain function, reduce weight, and consequently help extend lifespan.
Scientists from the U.S. National Institute on Aging state that regular fasting can not only enhance brainpower but also aid in weight loss. Experiments on mice revealed that mice fed every other day lived twice as long as those fed daily. The mice that fasted regularly showed a stronger response to insulin, meaning their bodies needed to produce less insulin, could better control blood sugar levels, and thus significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.
Dr. Mark Mattson, a professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, stated that subsequent human dietary trials found that caloric restriction (dieting) has protective effects on the heart, circulatory system, and brain, preventing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. He explained that regular fasting can stimulate cellular stress response pathways in neurons. The mechanism by which regular fasting promotes longevity is very similar to that of animal hibernation.
Experts also caution that elderly individuals must undergo gradual, regular fasting under a doctor's supervision. Furthermore, people with conditions such as diabetes should not fast on their own.