Maximizing Gut Bacteria Diversity with Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Restriction

2023-08-28 22:38:17

▲ A study has found that intermittent fasting and calorie restriction help to secure the diversity of gut bacteria. (Photo = DB)

[메디컬투데이=한지혁 기자] Intermittent fasting and calorie restriction have been shown to help ensure diversity of gut bacteria.

A study published in the journal Nutrients found that intermittent fasting and low-calorie diets, which are representative weight loss methods, are both beneficial to intestinal bacterial diversity.

There are regarding 100 trillion normal microbes living in symbiosis with humans in the human body. Most of these are bacteria, and most live in the stomach and intestines. Research into the effects of the gut microbiome on our health is still in its infancy, but it is clear that microbiome diversity is critical for many aspects of health.

To identify ways to acquire and maintain this diversity of the gut microbiome, recently a group of researchers at the University of Colorado College of Medicine investigated the effects of intermittent fasting and calorie-restricted diets on gut microbiome composition.

Overweight or obese participants were recruited for the study and assigned to either an “intermittent fasting group” in which they fasted for three consecutive days each week for one year, or a “low-calorie diet group” in which they were instructed to reduce their total calorie intake by regarding 34%.

In an initial analysis conducted three months following the start of the study, participants in both groups showed significant improvements in gut microbiome diversity. This suggests that both intermittent fasting and low-calorie diets, which are commonly chosen for weight loss, can help improve overall health.

These results reinforce the hypothesis that changes in the gut microbiome occur during weight loss. The researchers explained that quantitative changes in the gut microbiome related to metabolism and obesity, or changes at the genetic level, such as DNA methylation, may be related to the findings of this study.

On the other hand, they are concerned regarding setting up an indiscriminate diet plan, warning that intermittent fasting or low-calorie diets may do more harm to pregnant or lactating women, those with chronic illnesses, or those with a history of eating disorders.

They added that as there are various diet methods for weight loss, consultation with a specialist is necessary for proper selection of foods and evaluation of nutritional intake.

Medical Today Reporter Han Ji-hyeok ([email protected])

[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]

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