The Benefits of Ramadan

Interval fasting has shown efficacy against cancer

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

An interesting experiment was conducted with volunteers who observed fasting in the month of Ramadan. Interval fasting during this period contributed to the development in their body of a number of regulatory proteins that are necessary for the prevention of cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other diseases.

At the first stage, the scientists conducted experiments on mice that were not given food during their active waking phase. It turned out that cancer progresses more slowly if the rodents starved during the entire daily phase of activity.

Then the scientists decided to evaluate a similar diet for people with metabolic syndrome, which is a significant risk factor for the most common types of cancer, including cancer of the liver, intestines, pancreas and mammary glands. The results of the study are published in the journal Nature (Mindikoglu et al., Intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset for four consecutive weeks induces anticancer serum proteome response and improves metabolic syndrome).

For this experiment, scientists recruited people with metabolic syndrome who observed religious fasting in the month of Ramadan. At this time, it is not allowed to eat during daylight hours. Fasting begins at dawn and ends with sunset, after which a person can replenish the supply of calories.

The main purpose of such an experiment was to "reset" circadian rhythms, since it is known that it is disturbed biorhythms that significantly increase the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome and cancer.

To evaluate the result, the scientists analyzed the participants' blood counts before the experiment, as well as at the end of the fourth week and a week after the end of the fast. Tests showed that 30-day interval fasting activated several key regulatory proteins in the body, which play an important role in suppressing tumor growth, DNA repair, lipid metabolism, regulation of insulin and glucose, and are also necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system and the preservation of cognitive functions.

It is important to note that these positive changes occurred without significant weight loss and calorie restriction of the diet already in the fourth week of the experiment.

According to the authors, such a diet for a limited period of time can be an additional tool for the therapy and prevention of metabolic syndrome. In order to apply it in clinical practice, scientists intend to first confirm the findings in a larger randomized trial.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru