A new study suggests that a fasting diet similar to the one popularized by Dr. Michael Mosley could help people live 12 percent longer. Research has long shown that what we eat affects our health and lifespan. Now, scientists have found that how much we eat, along with when we eat, can also play a crucial role in longevity.
The study, published in Nature journal, focused on intermittent fasting, a diet that alternates between eating and fasting periods. It was inspired by the 5:2 diet, a method promoted by Dr. Mosley. This approach involves eating normally for five days and fasting for two consecutive days each week, consuming just 800 calories on fasting days.
The researchers tested the impact of this fasting diet on mice. They divided 937 mice into five groups, each following a different dietary plan. Some mice had unrestricted access to food, while others were given calorie restrictions of 60 percent and 80 percent of normal intake. Two groups followed intermittent fasting schedules, either fasting for one or two days each week.
After monitoring the mice for several months, the study found that both calorie restriction and intermittent fasting extended their lifespan. Mice that fasted for two days per week lived significantly longer than those that ate freely. Interestingly, these mice consumed nearly the same amount of food overall as those with unrestricted diets.
Mice on a 40 percent calorie-restricted diet lived around nine months longer than those with no restrictions. This translates to an extension of over a decade in human terms.
Gary Churchill, one of the study leaders from the Jackson Laboratory in Maine, explained, “The key is resilience. The healthiest animals were able to maintain their weight even during fasting or caloric restriction. They were also the ones that lived the longest.”
However, the study also highlighted some potential risks of extreme calorie restrictions. Mice on the 40 percent restricted diet lost significant lean body mass and showed signs of weakened immune systems, potentially making them more vulnerable to illness. Churchill added, “Losing weight through caloric restriction is not always beneficial for long-term health, as it can lead to harmful effects on the immune system.”
On Dr. Mosley’s Fast 800 website, it states that intermittent fasting, especially the 5:2 approach, can promote weight loss and improve overall health. His program combines fasting days with a Mediterranean-style diet on non-fasting days, without calorie restrictions, to encourage gradual, sustainable weight loss.
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