(Image source from: Canva.com)
A recent study emphasizes the importance of adolescents consulting with healthcare professionals prior to initiating any intermittent fasting practices to evaluate possible risks and advantages, while also finding the most suitable strategy for their unique situations. This study, published in Cell Reports, revealed that while short-term fasting poses no risk to individuals of any age, long-term fasting can lead to issues with insulin production in younger individuals that resembles early-stage Type 1 diabetes. The German research demonstrated contrasting impacts of intermittent fasting on mice of varying ages. It was beneficial for older mice but detrimental to pancreatic cell growth in younger mice, indicating potential dangers for teenagers and young adults. The findings underscore that age is a critical factor in assessing the advantages or hazards of intermittent fasting. Extended fasting was found to hinder cell formation in younger subjects, especially impacting insulin-producing beta cells. These outcomes raise alarms regarding the safety of intermittent fasting practices among children and adolescents.
“Our research indicates that while intermittent fasting can be advantageous for adults, it may pose risks to younger populations,” stated Stephan Herzig, a professor at the Technical University of Munich and head of the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich. The study assessed three distinct mouse groups: young (akin to human adolescence), middle-aged (adult), and older. Each group adhered to a regimen of 24 hours of fasting followed by 48 hours of regular eating. The researchers monitored the effects on their bodies over two durations: short-term (5 weeks) and long-term (10 weeks). Initially, all age categories demonstrated improvements in sugar metabolism, which is definitely encouraging. However, as the duration of intermittent fasting extended, substantial variations were observed among the age groups. While the older and middle-aged mice continued to reap benefits, the younger mice displayed concerning alterations.
“Typically, intermittent fasting is regarded as beneficial for beta cells, so we were taken aback to discover that young mice exhibited reduced insulin production after prolonged fasting,” remarked co-lead author Leonardo Matta from Helmholtz Munich. Conversely, older mice thrived under longer fasting intervals, with enhanced functionality of their insulin-producing cells and improved blood glucose regulation. Meanwhile, the middle-aged mice retained steady function, indicating that the mature body reacts differently to fasting than a developing one. This age-sensitive response questions the widespread assumption that intermittent fasting is advantageous for all. The findings suggest that while adult individuals may benefit from this dietary pattern, young individuals risk adverse effects, especially if they engage in such practices over extended periods.
