My post Intermittent Fasting and the Brain describes the neuroprotective benefits of intermittent fasting. This post lists some of the benefits of intermittent fasting or short-term fasting on cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, and other important areas of health. Interestingly, restriction of dietary carbohydrate may be able to accomplish many of the benefits of fasting (Link).
• suppresses carcinogenesis
• protects the heart against ischemic injury
• reduces cardiovascular risk
• lowers blood pressure
• improves recovery from spinal cord injury
• enhances nerve function
• extends life span
• provides pain relief
• improves tolerance of chemotherapy
• improves glucose tolerance
• enhances retinal healing
• protects against heavy metal toxicity
• reduces inflammation
• prevents the progression of nephropathy
• helps treat symptoms of atopic dermatitis
References:
Adult-onset calorie restriction and fasting delay spontaneous tumorigenesis in p53-deficient mice. (Link)
An adult with atopic dermatitis and repeated short-term fasting. (Link)
Analgesia induced by dietary restriction is mediated by the kappa-opioid system. (Link)
Cardioprotection by intermittent fasting in rats. (Link)
Cardioprotective effect of intermittent fasting is associated with an elevation of adiponectin levels in rats. (Link)
Chronic intermittent fasting improves the survival following large myocardial ischemia by activation of BDNF/VEGF/PI3K signaling pathway. (Link)
Dietary restriction started after spinal cord injury improves functional recovery. (Link)
Effect of feeding regimens on circadian rhythms: implications for aging and longevity. (Link)
Effects of fasting and intermittent fasting on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine. (Link)
Effects of intermittent fasting on serum lipid levels, coagulation status and plasma homocysteine levels. (Link)
Effects of short-term fasting in male Sprague-Dawley rats. (Link)
Energy restriction and the prevention of breast cancer. (Link)
Fasting and cancer treatment in humans: A case series report. (Link)
Impact of aging and diet restriction on retinal function during and after acute intraocular pressure injury. (Link)
Interaction of intermittent fasting on the cytotoxic effects of nickel in rats at puberty. (Link)
Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and biochemical parameters during prolonged intermittent fasting. (Link)
Intermittent fasting alleviates the neuropathic phenotype in a mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. (Link)
Intermittent fasting and dietary supplementation with 2-deoxy-D-glucose improve functional and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in rats. (Link)
Intermittent fasting improves functional recovery after rat thoracic contusion spinal cord injury. (Link)
Intermittent fasting modulation of the diabetic syndrome in streptozotocin-injected rats. (Link)
Intermittent fasting prevents the progression of type I diabetic nephropathy in rats and changes the expression of Sir2 and p53. (Link)
Limited role of Sirt1 in cancer protection by dietary restriction. (Link)
Physiological and biochemical effects of intermittent fasting combined with hunger-resistant food on mice. (Link)
Short-term therapeutic fasting in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue syndromes–well-being and side effects with and without mineral supplements. (Link)
The short-term effects of fasting on the neuroendocrine system in patients with chronic pain syndromes. (Link)
