A recent study from Queen Mary University of London sheds new light on an ancient practice: fasting. For seven days, twelve volunteers gave up all food and drank only water, in an experiment that revealed surprising and radical transformations in the body. Which? Let's watch together, calmly.
A systemic mutation
The human body is a complex machine. When deprived of its usual fuel, food, it begins to take alternative paths to ensure survival. The study, published on Nature Metabolism (I link it here), highlights a systemic and coordinated response of different organs to prolonged fasting, with significant changes in the levels of approximately 3.000 proteins in the blood.
These molecular changes provide new perspectives on the benefits of fasting that transcend simple body weight reduction.
Beyond weight loss
Fasting causes the body to use fat reserves as an alternative energy source. You know, it's a well-known process. However, what emerges with new clarity from this study is that the benefits of the practice manifest themselves in significant ways only after three days without food. In addition to weight loss, which amounts to an average of 5,7 kg of fat and lean mass, fasting appears to trigger a global response in the body that involves changes at the protein level in all the main organs.
Detailed understanding of these fasting-induced changes opens the way to new therapeutic possibilities. New and extended, especially for those who can benefit from fasting but are unable to practice it for long periods. The research suggests that the observed changes could have positive implications for treating conditions such as epilepsy e rheumatoid arthritis, diseases for which fasting has historically been used.
The future belongs to 'short precision fasting'
The findings of this research offer a detailed map of the body's responses to fasting, outlining a path for future investigations that could translate into targeted therapeutic interventions. Claudia Langenberg, director of the Precision Health University Research Institute (PHURI), highlights the importance of these findings in the broader context of human health. She and she highlights how safe fasting can be an effective weight loss strategy and much more.
In summary - The study by Queen Mary University of London opens new perspectives on fasting, an ancient practice now re-evaluated in the light of the most modern research techniques. It is confirmation that "rereading" the holistic approach to human health with a scientific lens can give us great confirmation.
And now, an obvious disclaimer about fasting
It is important to emphasize that, although the results of this study highlight interesting benefits of fasting, this practice should only be undertaken under the strict supervision of a medical professional. Fasting can have different effects from person to person, and only a doctor can evaluate whether it is safe and beneficial based on individual health conditions. We strongly advise against "do it yourself" without the support of a doctor, to avoid risks to your health.
