Benefits of fasting: Study reveals unexpected blow to your health

Fasting, an ancestral practice, is experiencing renewed interest for its potential health benefits. However, a recent study published Nature Metabolism Some certainties come to be shaken. The researchers found that it took more than three days of strict fasting to see significant changes at the molecular level. This finding raises questions about the effectiveness of short-term intermittent fasting diets and highlights. the lightthe light Possible risks of prolonged fasting.

Molecular secrets of fasting finally revealed.

An international team of scientists conducted a pivotal study on 12 healthy participants (5 women and 7 men) who underwent a seven-day water fast. For the first time, researchers were able to observe the molecular changes that occur in the body during fasting. Claudia Langenberg, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, explains: We are now able to see what happens at the molecular level throughout the body when we fast. Our results demonstrate the benefits of fasting beyond weight loss, but they were only visible after three days of calorie restriction—longer than we previously thought. ».

An analysis of nearly 3,000 proteins measured in the participants’ blood revealed that about a third of them were ” Deep systemic changes » After a week of water fasting. These protein changes, which are associated with possible improvements in rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular health, were evident after just three days of continuous fasting.

The Dilemma of Prolonged Fasting: Benefits vs. Risks

This finding raises an important dilemma: Should we be fasting more often to benefit from the risk of compromising our health? In fact, depriving the body of calories for several days poses significant risks:

• risk of dehydration;
• malnutrition;
• severe fatigue;
• sleep disorders;
• Hormonal disorders.

Doctors usually advise children, teenagers, pregnant women, people against prolonged fasting. Diabetic patientsDiabetic patients Or suffer from an eating disorder? It is important to consult a health care professional before starting a long-term fast. DurationDuration.

Towards an alternative to fasting?

Faced with these findings, researchers are considering new ways to reproduce the beneficial effects of fasting without the harms. They explain: ” Our findings open the possibility of systematically identifying potential benefits of fasting and translating this knowledge into potential interventions, including for patients who cannot adhere to long-term fasting regimens or fasting simulations. Can’t eat foods that do. ».

This approach could lead to the development of targeted therapies mimicking the positive effects of fasting without the need for prolonged food deprivation. A summary table of observed effects illustrates these perspectives:

This study, although conducted on a small sample, provides an important reference point for future research on fasting. This underscores the importance of a careful and personalized approach, while paving the way for new therapeutic strategies inspired by fasting methods.