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Eating Less vs. Fasting : Why Intermittent Fasting May Reduce Weight But Shorten Lifespan
Many of us are conscious of our looks and fitness, often turning to intense exercise routines and various diets to stay in shape. One effective diet that people are following lately is intermittent fasting. However, a recent study reveals that while intermittent fasting may help with weight loss, it could also negatively impact longevity. Read further to explore more into this topic.
Calorie Restriction, Not Intermittent Fasting
A recent study published in Nature suggests that while intermittent fasting has its benefits, it might not necessarily help extend lifespan. The study, which focused on mice, found that calorie restriction might be the more effective way to promote longevity.
The researchers pointed out that while the exact effects on humans remain unclear, it's likely that the impact of dietary restrictions, like intermittent fasting, will vary from person to person due to genetic differences. They emphasise that moderate calorie reduction, combined with regular cycles of eating and fasting, plays an important role.
Gary Churchill, a professor at The Jackson Laboratory in Maine who contributed to the study, summed it up with, "If you want to live a long time, there are things you can control within your lifetime such as diet, but really what you want is a very old grandmother."
The Lifespan Study On Mice
Previous research has shown that cutting calories can help extend lifespan, but sticking to a low-calorie diet is tough for most people. That's why intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating have become popular alternatives. They're often easier to stick with. To see which approach works better, Churchill and his team tested both calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on mice.
They divided the mice into five groups: one group could eat whatever they wanted at any time, while two groups were given only 60-80% of their usual food intake. The last two groups went through intermittent fasting, where they fasted for one or two days each week but had plenty of food on the other days.
Intermittent Fasting Falls Short In Lifespan Study
The study found that while intermittent fasting has health benefits, it didn't extend the mice's lifespan as much as caloric restriction did. Mice on a normal diet lived for 25 months, while intermittent fasting bumped their lifespan up to 28 months.
However, the mice who ate just 80% of their usual food lived to an average of 30 months, and those on a 60% diet lived the longest, reaching 34 months.
The researchers also discovered that mice who maintained their body weight despite eating fewer calories lived longer. On the other hand, mice that lost a lot of weight had lower energy and faced issues with their immune and reproductive systems.
Losing Weight On A Diet Isn't Ideal For Longevity
Churchill explained that while caloric restriction is usually linked to a longer lifespan, their study showed that losing weight while on a restricted diet actually harms longevity. He pointed out that in human trials of longevity drugs, the people who lost weight and showed better metabolic profiles might not be living any longer, despite these improvements.
He emphasised that the study highlights the importance of resilience-those animals who kept their weight steady, even under stress and caloric restriction, lived the longest. Churchill suggested that a moderate level of calorie restriction could be the key to balancing long-term health with a longer life.
To wrap it up, while intermittent fasting might help shed pounds, it may not be the best route to a longer life. So, if longevity is your goal, focus on a balanced, moderate approach to calorie intake might just be the smarter choice for your future.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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