A study shows that intermittent fasting would increase the risk of diabetes in young people, but not in adults and the elderly.
- According to a new study, intermittent fasting could be dangerous for adolescents because it would promote the development of diabetes.
- Beta cells of the pancreas produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
- The researchers discovered that intermittent fasting disrupted the development of beta cells in young mice.
Teenagers should rather wait for adulthood to try intermittent fasting, advise the German researchers of The Munich Technical Universityof Munich LMU Hospital and Helmholtz Munich research center. During their work carried out on mice, they discovered that intermittent fasting favored the development of diabetes in young rodents, the equivalent of human adolescents. Their study was published in the journal Cell Reports.
Intermittent fasting disrupts the development of beta cells
“”Intermittent fasting is known for its benefits, in particular the stimulation of metabolism which helps weight loss, explains Alexander Bartel, one of the authors, in a press release. But so far, its potential side effects have not understood.“”
To better understand them, scientists have studied three mouse groups: adolescent girls, adults and elderly. The fast took place as follows: every other day without eating, for ten weeks.
Results: In the groups of adult and elderly rodents, insulin sensitivity had improved, which means that their metabolism responded better to insulin produced by the pancreas. In other words, their body better regulated blood sugar, which has a protective effect against type 2 diabetes.
The same beta cells as patients with type 1 diabetes
Among young mice, on the other hand, this is the opposite effect. Scientists have observed a disruption in the development of beta cells from their pancreas. Normally, they produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. But after a fast, they no longer fulfilled their role: “adolescent mice cells have ceased to develop and produced less insulin”, Details Peter Weber from Helmholtz Munich, one of the authors. This insufficient production of insulin would promote the development of diabetes.
“” “Generally, we think that intermittent fasting is beneficial for beta cells, Indicates Leonardo Matta, one of the authors of the study. We were therefore surprised to note that the young mice produced less insulin after the prolonged fast.”After a further analysis of the beta cells of young mice, scientists discovered that they looked like those of type 1 diabetes patients.
These results in rodents are also worrying for humans because they could be the same for adolescents. Before confirming, it is therefore better to remain cautious and not to practice intermittent fasting during adolescence. “” “Our study confirms that intermittent fasting is beneficial for adults, but that it could include risks for children and adolescents”Says Stephan Herzig, one of the authors.
In the future, scientists plan to continue their research to better understand the mechanisms that explain the link between intermittent fasting and the degradation of beta cells in adolescents.
