iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
While intermittent fasting is widely praised for its benefits in weight loss and managing health conditions, a recent animal study raises concerns about its safety for teenagers.
The study, conducted by a team of German researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Hospital Munich, and Helmholtz Munich, suggests that intermittent fasting may negatively affect cell development in younger individuals.
Intermittent fasting, a popular dietary strategy that restricts eating to a six- to eight-hour window each day, is known to help with weight loss and can aid people with conditions like diabetes and heart disease. However, the research, published in Cell Reports, reveals that intermittent fasting may disrupt the development of insulin-producing beta cells in young mice.
“Our study confirms that intermittent fasting is beneficial for adults, but it might come with risks for children and teenagers,” said Stephan Herzig, a professor at TUM and director of the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich.
The study involved adolescent, adult, and older mice, which fasted for one day and were fed normally for the following two days. After 10 weeks, the adult and older mice showed improved insulin sensitivity, meaning their metabolism responded more effectively to insulin, which is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels and preventing Type 2 diabetes.
However, the adolescent mice displayed a concerning decline in beta cell function—the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Insufficient insulin production is linked to diabetes and metabolic issues.
“Intermittent fasting is usually thought to benefit beta cells, so we were surprised to find that young mice produced less insulin after the extended fasting,” said Leonardo Matta from Helmholtz Munich.
Upon further analysis, the researchers found that the beta cells in younger mice failed to mature properly. Comparing these findings to human tissue data, they noted that patients with Type 1 diabetes, where beta cells are destroyed by an autoimmune response, showed similar signs of impaired cell maturation.
These findings suggest that while intermittent fasting may offer health benefits for adults, it could have detrimental effects on cell development in teenagers, potentially increasing the risk of metabolic issues later in life.
(Photo courtesy: IANS)
