Dr. Maurizio Battino, director of the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) in Italy, together with other professionals, study the effects of caloric restriction, fasting and caloric restriction mimetic foods on age-related diseases.
Several in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies have described the positive effects of fasting, reduced calorie intake (calorie restriction, CR), calorie restriction mimetics (CRMs, foods that mimic the biological effects of CR) on protection against age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.
Likewise, nutritional studies indicate that mild CR and high consumption of CRM is associated with a lower risk of developing age-related chronic diseases and a longer life expectancy.
Therefore, the aim of this research has been to describe the multifaceted effects of CR, fasting, and CRMs, mainly on immunosurveillance, cancer biology, and host metabolism. Studies describing CR interventions in cancer patients or subjects at risk for cancer were also reviewed, with special emphasis on the benefits and possible drawbacks of such interventions.
Research results
Reduced calorie consumption was found to stimulate cancer immunosurveillance by increasing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and decreasing Treg migration to the tumor mass. In addition, it has been evidenced that fasting and CR stimulate autophagy through decreased protein acetylation, increased chemo and immunotherapy, insulin sensitivity, and decreased IGF-1 and ROS levels.
In addition, fasting, CR, and CRMs have been shown to have beneficial effects on gut microbiota composition, regulate host metabolism, and optimize the lipidemic profile of cancer patients.
If you want to know more about this fascinating study, click here.
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) sponsors various programs of study in the field of health and nutrition, such as the International Master in Diet and Nutrition in collaboration with the Marche Polytechnic University.