Brain effects of 5:2 intermittent fasting and the healthy living diet in a randomized controlled trial.

Apostolos Manolopoulos, Roger J Mullins, Francheska Delgado‐Peraza, Maja Mustapic, Carlos Nogueras‐Ortiz, Pamela J. Yao, Mark R Cookson, Josephine M. Egan, Sophia Frangou, Mark P. Mattson, Dimitrios Kapogiannis

National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USANational Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Insulin Resistance (IR) is implicated in brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Dietary changes may promote brain health in older adults with metabolic abnormalities. An extensive animal literature suggests pro‐cognitive and beneficial systemic and brain effects of intermittent fasting (IF) that may mitigate AD risk. We conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing brain effects and the potential for AD biomarker modulation of IF and a continuous diet.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper investigates the effects of intermittent fasting on brain health and Alzheimer's disease, which are relevant to aging and age-related diseases. However, it primarily focuses on dietary interventions rather than addressing the root causes of aging itself. The findings may contribute to understanding dietary impacts on cognitive health but do not represent a significant advancement in longevity research. Thus, the impact is rated as solid but limited.

Author of this paper? Send a correction.