Fasting boosts stem cells

[SearchingforPeace]

I have read of the benefits of intermittent fasting over the last few years and some extreme efforts done by would be biohackers in Silicon Valley.

Anyway, this article was interesting.

Fasting for just 24 hours boosts the regeneration of stem cells, study finds

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A new study examining the effects of fasting in mice looks to have one answer, finding just 24 hours of calorie restriction flicks a metabolic switch that can boost the regeneration of stem cells in the gut.

These intestinal stem cells fail to regenerate as effectively when we get older, and since they're important for helping us to maintain healthy tissue and fight off disease, this cellular kickstarter is a pretty valuable thing to know about.

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"This study provided evidence that fasting induces a metabolic switch in the intestinal stem cells, from utilising carbohydrates to burning fat."

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In the study, that conversion didn't just mean cells use up fat as an energy source instead of carbohydrates. Making the switch also enhanced their functioning.

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When they did this, they saw the regenerative capacity of the stem cells from fasting mice was double that of regular mice that hadn't fasted.

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The article goes on to discuss that they want to find a way to trigger this in a pill. For now, people can just do it by not eating....

 

[xenaprincess]

I think there is a lot to not eating, or rather...not eating according to the 3-square-meals-per-day schedule. People are afraid of feeling hunger, when it's actually not so bad after you get over the first 10 minutes or so. The first hunger pangs subside and then you're fine.

 

[SearchingforPeace]

I think there is a lot to not eating, or rather...not eating according to the 3-square-meals-per-day schedule. People are afraid of feeling hunger, when it's actually not so bad after you get over the first 10 minutes or so. The first hunger pangs subside and then you're fine.

When I want to lose weight, I postpone my first meal as long as possible, then cut out snacking, while drinking lots of water. I don't seem to miss the food.

Fasting is brilliant for resetting the metabolism. I wish I had know about it when I was younger.

I did a lot of intermittent fasting last year, but none since Christmas. My body really reset and my metabolic rate seems higher. I eat pretty unhealthy these days, but it doesn't seem to matter. I keep losing weight, gradually.

Anyway, I am strong believer in fasting these and I am excited to see new insights on it.

 

[ceecee]

I think there is a lot to not eating, or rather...not eating according to the 3-square-meals-per-day schedule. People are afraid of feeling hunger, when it's actually not so bad after you get over the first 10 minutes or so. The first hunger pangs subside and then you're fine.

There are several people fasting in the healthy challenge thread if you wanted to follow. I do a 16/8 fast. It's easy because I'm asleep for a good chunk of it. No food for 16 hrs. eat for 8 hrs. I normally have one regular meal and a snack. I've lost 26 lbs since November. This doesn't sound like a lot but like the story below, my body composition changed. This was much more important to me than weight. I take one day off of working out (Sunday), 6 days of cardio, 5 days of weights. I think fasting is easy to do and even if I didn't work out, it would still benefit me (you really see the benefit if you exercise during the fasting hours). Even my doctor likes what's happening and she was not a fan of me doing this in the beginning.


I Fasted For 16 Hours a Day For 6 Months and This Is What Happened

 

[xenaprincess]

There are several people fasting in the healthy challenge thread if you wanted to follow. I do a 16/8 fast. It's easy because I'm asleep for a good chunk of it. No food for 16 hrs. eat for 8 hrs.
I Fasted For 16 Hours a Day For 6 Months and This Is What Happened

That's amazing and it's quite a bit of weight loss, actually.

I do sort of a 16/8, too, not eating breakfast. But it hasn't been as disciplined in terms of time as it could be. I will take your suggestion to heart!

 

[Lark]

There are several people fasting in the healthy challenge thread if you wanted to follow. I do a 16/8 fast. It's easy because I'm asleep for a good chunk of it. No food for 16 hrs. eat for 8 hrs. I normally have one regular meal and a snack. I've lost 26 lbs since November. This doesn't sound like a lot but like the story below, my body composition changed. This was much more important to me than weight. I take one day off of working out (Sunday), 6 days of cardio, 5 days of weights. I think fasting is easy to do and even if I didn't work out, it would still benefit me (you really see the benefit if you exercise during the fasting hours). Even my doctor likes what's happening and she was not a fan of me doing this in the beginning.


I Fasted For 16 Hours a Day For 6 Months and This Is What Happened

I am interested in your workout and weights regime.

 

[ceecee]

I am interested in your workout and weights regime.

I walk/run 30-40 minutes on the treadmill at a 3-4% incline 6 days a week.
I do all my weights on a functional cable machine.

Cable Machine Total-Body Circuit

I add a few extra core exercises that focus on lower back and I use a stability ball with the cable machine for those and I do them twice a week. That's it. There have been several times I haven't been able to use the machine but I try to never skip the treadmill. You can also cross train using dumbbells of various weights in conjunction with the treadmill but I have't done that.

 

[Amethyst]

I think fasting when done right is legitimate, and it's probably no coincidence that people have been doing some sort of fasting for religious/spiritual reasons for centuries.

My only concern is that with mice fasting for 24 hours (a mouse can only survive 2-4 days without food), wouldn't the ratio have to be considered for humans (3-4 weeks). It would have to be a little less than a week of fasting, but I'm not a scientist.