Fasting, or the practice of abstaining from food or drink for a period of time, has been observed for centuries as a cultural, religious, or therapeutic practice.
Fasting can take many different forms, including complete abstention from food and water for a certain period, intermittent fasting, where one restricts their intake to specific times of the day or days of the week, and partial fasting, where certain foods or drinks are avoided.
There are several potential benefits of fasting for the elderly population, although it is important to note that fasting may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions.
Here are some potential benefits of fasting for the elderly:
Improved brain function
Fasting, or restricting food intake for a certain period, has been shown to have several potential health benefits, including improving brain function and reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Here are some of the ways fasting can help:
- Fasting has been found to increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that stimulates the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain. This increase in BDNF has been associated with improved cognitive function, including enhanced learning and memory.
- Fasting has also been found to reduce oxidative stress, a process that damages cells and contributes to age-related cognitive decline. By reducing oxidative stress, fasting can help protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function.
- Fasting also stimulates autophagy, a process in which cells break down and recycle damaged proteins and other cellular components. This process helps remove damaged cells from the brain, which can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Reduce inflammation
Fasting has been shown to have a potential anti-inflammatory effect on the body. During fasting, the body undergoes several changes, including a reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
One study conducted in 2019 found that intermittent fasting (IF) reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in healthy adults. The study also found an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and adiponectin after the period of fasting (1).
Another study published in 2018 examined the effect of a 4-day fast on immune cell populations in humans. The study found a decrease in the number of circulating pro-inflammatory monocytes and an increase in anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) (2).
These studies suggest that fasting may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and the potential benefits for specific health conditions.
Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
Fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which in turn can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of fasting on blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity in both healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes.
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that short-term fasting (less than 24 hours) improved insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals by increasing glucose uptake in muscle tissue and reducing glucose production in the liver (Patterson et al., 2015). Another study published in the journal Nutrition & Diabetes showed that intermittent fasting improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes (Carter et al., 2018).
Overall, fasting may be a useful tool in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, particularly in older adults who are at a higher risk for developing the disease.
Improved immune function
Fasting may help to improve immune function and reducing the risk of infection. One study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell found that a 24-hour fast can boost the production of white blood cells, which play a critical role in the immune response to infections. Additionally, fasting has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can also help improve immune function.
In elderly individuals who may be more susceptible to illness, fasting may be particularly beneficial. A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that alternate-day fasting helped to improve immune function in older adults by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the blood.
Overall, while more research is needed, fasting appears to be a promising way to improve immune function and reduce the risk of infection.
Improved heart health
One study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging found that fasting for 24 hours every other day improved cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, in elderly subjects. Another study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences found that intermittent fasting improved cardiovascular function in rats by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both risk factors for heart disease.
These findings suggest that fasting may have potential benefits for improving heart health in elderly individuals, although more research is needed to confirm these effects and to determine the optimal fasting regimen for different populations.
It is important for elderly individuals to consult with a healthcare professional before considering fasting, as some medical conditions or medications may make fasting unsafe.
In addition, elderly individuals may require more careful monitoring during fasting due to their age and potential health concerns.
References
Barnosky, A. R., Hoddy, K. K., Unterman, T. G., & Varady, K. A. (2019). Intermittent fasting vs daily calorie restriction for type 2 diabetes prevention: a review of human findings. Translational Research, 164(4), 302-311.
Carter, S., Clifton, P. M., Keogh, J. B., et al. (2018). Effect of Intermittent Compared With Continuous Energy Restricted Diet on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial. Nutrition & Diabetes, 8(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-018-0047-1
Cheng, C. W., Adams, G. B., Perin, L., Wei, M., Zhou, X., Lam, B. S., … Longo, V. D. (2014). Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA to Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based Regeneration and Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell, 14(6), 810–823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2014.04.014
Di Biase, S., Lee, C., Brandhorst, S., Manes, B., Buono, R., Cheng, C. W., … Longo, V. D. (2019). Fasting-mimicking diet reduces HO-1 to promote T cell-mediated tumor cytotoxicity. Cancer Cell, 35(4), 668–683.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2019.02.011
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Johnson, J. B., Summer, W., Cutler, R. G., Martin, B., Hyun, D. H., Dixit, V. D., … Roth, G. S. (2007). Alternate day calorie restriction improves clinical findings and reduces markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight adults with moderate asthma. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 42(5), 665–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2006.12.005
Longo, V. D., & Mattson, M. P. (2014). Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Cell metabolism, 19(2), 181-192.
Mattson, M. P., & Wan, R. (2005). Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 16(3), 129-137.
Mitchell, J. R., Verweij, M., Brand, K., van de Ven, M., Goemaere, N., van den Engel, S., … de Cabo, R. (2010). Short-term dietary restriction and fasting precondition against ischemia reperfusion injury in mice. Aging Cell, 9(1), 40–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-9726.2009.00532.x
Patterson, R. E., Laughlin, G. A., Sears, D. D., et al. (2015). INTERMITTENT FASTING AND HUMAN METABOLIC HEALTH. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 125(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI76332
Varady KA, Bhutani S, Klempel MC, Kroeger CM, Trepanowski JF, Haus JM, Hoddy KK, Calvo Y. Alternate day fasting for weight loss in normal weight and overweight subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Journal. 2013 Nov 12;12(1):146. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-146. PMID: 24215592; PMCID: PMC3833269.
Vasconcelos, A. R., Yshii, L. M., Viel, T. A., Buck, H. S., & Mattson, M. P. (2014). Intermittent fasting attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and memory impairment. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 11, 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-11-85
Zou, S., Carey, M., & cullen, J. (2020). Fasting-Mimicking Diet Improves Immune Function and Reduces Disease Pathology in Aged Mice. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8
