New York, US (Web Desk): A recent study has revealed that fasting can reverse the age-related loss of stem cell function that regenerates new intestinal cells.
According to research of David Sabatini fasting dramatically improves stem cells’ ability to regenerate, in both aged and young mice. During fasting, cells begin breaking down fatty acids instead of glucose, a change that stimulates the stem cells to become more regenerative.
The researcher quoted, “This study provides evidence that fasting induces a metabolic switch in the intestine stem cells, from utilizing carbohydrates to burn fats.”
“Interestingly, switching these cells to fatty acid oxidation enhanced their function significantly. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway may provide a therapeutic opportunity to improve tissue homeostasis in age-associated pathologies,” he added.