A Fasting-Style Diet Seems to Result in Dynamic Changes to Human Brains - ScienceAlert

Summary

Scientists looking to tackle our ongoing obesity crisis have made an important discovery: Intermittent calorie restriction leads to significant changes both in the gut and the brain, which may open up new options for maintaining a healthy weight.

Researchers from China studied 25 volunteers classed…

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Q1: What recent findings have researchers discovered regarding the impact of intermittent fasting on the human brain and gut microbiome?

A1: Researchers have found that intermittent fasting can lead to significant changes in both the gut and the brain. Specifically, it influences the brain-gut-microbiome axis by altering the gut microbiome and affecting brain regions related to appetite and addiction, such as the inferior frontal orbital gyrus. These changes are dynamic and occur during and after weight loss.

Q2: How does intermittent fasting relate to cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease according to recent studies?

A2: A study published in 2025 showed that intermittent fasting positively impacts cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease by decreasing amyloid-β accumulation and modulating neuroinflammation. A crucial microbial metabolite, indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), was identified as a key player in these cognitive benefits, emphasizing the gut-brain axis's role in neurodegeneration.

Q3: What methodologies are being used to analyze the microbiome-gut-brain axis in the context of intermittent fasting?

A3: Recent studies highlight the use of compositional data analysis (CoDA) paradigms, which include techniques like alpha diversity, beta diversity, differential feature abundance, and functional inference. These methods are used to analyze the microbiome, providing insights into how intermittent fasting affects gut-brain communication.

Q4: What are the potential risks associated with intermittent fasting as noted by health organizations?

A4: While intermittent fasting may offer health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and reducing the risk of diet-related diseases, it is not recommended for everyone. The United States National Institute on Aging and the New Zealand Ministry of Health advise caution, especially for individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes, due to the potential risks like low energy and hunger.

Q5: How might changes in the gut microbiome influence brain function during intermittent fasting?

A5: Changes in the gut microbiome during intermittent fasting are linked to brain regions that regulate appetite and addiction. Bacteria such as Coprococcus comes and Eubacterium hallii show associations with brain activity, suggesting a complex interaction between gut microbiota and brain function in weight management.

Q6: How has the concept of the microbiome-gut-brain axis evolved in scientific research?

A6: The microbiome-gut-brain axis has gained recognition for its role in regulating mood and behavior. Advances in microbiome analysis techniques have allowed researchers to explore this axis in-depth, using statistical methods to understand how microbial presence and abundance affect neurological and psychological outcomes.

Q7: What are the broader implications of intermittent fasting on public health and diet-related diseases?

A7: Intermittent fasting has potential implications for public health by offering a strategy to manage obesity and related metabolic disorders. However, due to limited and inconclusive research, health authorities recommend further studies to better understand its long-term effects and to provide evidence-based guidelines for its implementation in dietary practices.

References:

Intermittent fasting - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_fasting
Bugs as Features (Part I): Concepts and Foundations for the Compositional Data Analysis of the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis - Thomaz F. S. Bastiaanssen, Thomas P. Quinn, Amy Loughman
Gut microbial-derived indole-3-propionate improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease.
A Fasting-Style Diet Seems to Result in Dynamic Changes to Human Brains - https://www.sciencealert.com/a-fasting-style-diet-seems-to-result-in-dynamic-changes-to-human-brains