Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease

This review article examines the effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. Intermittent fasting triggers metabolic switching from glucose to ketone bodies, activating adaptive cellular responses that enhance stress resistance, reduce inflammation, and promote repair mechanisms. Preclinical studies demonstrate benefits for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical trials show improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and cognitive function, though long-term human studies are limited. The article discusses practical intermittent-fasting regimens, such as alternate-day fasting and time-restricted feeding, and highlights the need for further research to optimize protocols and understand mechanisms. The findings suggest intermittent fasting as a promising non-pharmacologic intervention for improving health span and disease resistance.

This review article examines the effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. Intermittent fasting triggers metabolic switching from glucose to ketone bodies, activating adaptive cellular responses that enhance stress resistance, reduce inflammation, and promote repair mechanisms. Preclinical studies demonstrate benefits for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical trials show improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and cognitive function, though long-term human studies are limited. The article discusses practical intermittent-fasting regimens, such as alternate-day fasting and time-restricted feeding, and highlights the need for further research to optimize protocols and understand mechanisms. The findings suggest intermittent fasting as a promising non-pharmacologic intervention for improving health span and disease resistance.