MANCHESTER, England (Commonwealth Union) – Intermittent fasting has long been known to have several health benefits. During a natural disaster quite often water is considered the immediate need over food as the body has the ability to go for longer periods without food but not water since stored fat within the body can be consumed.
The University of Manchester and the University of Naples ‘Federico II’ in Italy have joined hands for a study looking at how mice tricked into believing they are fasting can handle inflammation more simply was found by neurobiologists. The study is the 1st to indicate that the well-established protective effects of fasting are at least partially mediated by the brain, rather than an absence of nutrients as generally assumed.
The study, sponsored by the Medical Research Council, saw the researchers demonstrate that tricking the brain into believing it is fasting was enough to bring about effects of real fasting in mice who were well fed. For a while scientist have understood that periodic fasting can assist in promoting a range of health benefits such as lowering the severity of chronic inflammation, immune system regeneration, lessening side effects of chemotherapy and also enhancing longevity.
Inflammation is the body’s natural defense in fighting off infections, although when inflammation goes unchecked and leads to chronic inflammations a series of ailments could follow. While it can be considered paradoxical, the advantages of fasting during illness are well documented where it is now seen that the brain plays a significant role in this mechanism.
But the scientists have now indicated the ability to bring about some of the beneficial effects of fasting in mice, with no actual fasting. “Though it can be seen as paradoxical, the beneficial effects of fasting during sickness are well known,” said Senior of author, Dr Giuseppe D’ Agostino from The University of Manchester.
