Researchers discover unusual place intermittent fasting can help reduce fat
| Jul 8, 2019, 13:59 IST
Intermittent fasting can help reduce pancreatic fat significantly, according to a study conducted by researchers at the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE). The team found mice had lower pancreatic fat when put on a fasting plan.
Scientists are still trying to understand more about pancreatic fat -fat that accumulates in pancreatic cells. However, the new findings may bring researchers a step closer. "Fat accumulations outside the fat tissue, e.g., in the liver, muscles, or even bones, have a negative effect on these organs and the entire body. What impact fat cells have within the pancreas has not been clear until now," lead author of the study ProfessorAnnette Schürmann, told a news portal.
For the study, the mice were divided into two groups. One group was allowed to eat as much as they wanted with no restrictions throughout the study. The second group was allowed to eat as much as they wanted only on alternate days. They were fed nothing on the days in between. The results after five weeks showed that the mice put on the alternate-day fasting regime, a type of fasting, developed very little fat in the pancreas.
"Under certain genetic conditions, the accumulation of fat in the pancreas may play a decisive role in the development of type 2 diabetes," according to the researchers. Further research is needed to determine whether fasting can help protect against diabetes.
Multiples studies have found intermittent fasting to be extremely beneficial for our health. Some of those benefits include weight loss, good blood sugar levels, and low levels of inflammation.
The study's findings were originally published in the journal Metabolism.
Scientists are still trying to understand more about pancreatic fat -fat that accumulates in pancreatic cells. However, the new findings may bring researchers a step closer. "Fat accumulations outside the fat tissue, e.g., in the liver, muscles, or even bones, have a negative effect on these organs and the entire body. What impact fat cells have within the pancreas has not been clear until now," lead author of the study ProfessorAnnette Schürmann, told a news portal.
For the study, the mice were divided into two groups. One group was allowed to eat as much as they wanted with no restrictions throughout the study. The second group was allowed to eat as much as they wanted only on alternate days. They were fed nothing on the days in between. The results after five weeks showed that the mice put on the alternate-day fasting regime, a type of fasting, developed very little fat in the pancreas.
"Under certain genetic conditions, the accumulation of fat in the pancreas may play a decisive role in the development of type 2 diabetes," according to the researchers. Further research is needed to determine whether fasting can help protect against diabetes.
Multiples studies have found intermittent fasting to be extremely beneficial for our health. Some of those benefits include weight loss, good blood sugar levels, and low levels of inflammation.
The study's findings were originally published in the journal Metabolism.