Could missing meals really help you live longer? Yasmine White investigates the intriguing science of longevity and fasting to show how this age-old habit could be the secret to a longer, better life.
According to recent studies, intermittent fasting causes autophagy, the body’s cellular cleansing mechanism wherein old, damaged cells are recycled. From the cellular level, this natural detoxification could slow down ageing. Yasmine says that fasting times provide our digestive systems a much-needed rest, freeing energy often spent for digesting to concentrate on repair and regeneration instead.
Studies demonstrating fasting may activate longevity genes known as sirtuins—akin to how calorie restriction increases lifespan in animals—show the most convincing evidence. Although human research is still developing, many longevity experts include some kind of fasting into their regimens, usually using a 16:8 pattern—that is, 16 hours fasting with an 8-hour feeding window.
Still, Yasmine notes that fasting is not for everyone. She advises, particularly for people with certain medical issues, seeing a healthcare specialist before beginning. Under competent direction, fasting might be a great weapon in your armoury for increasing lifespan.
