Researchers: Virginia Boccardi, Martina Pigliautile, Anna Giulia Guazzarini, Patrizia Mecocci
This review examines the potential of fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). FMDs are low-calorie diets that mimic the physiological and metabolic effects of fasting, including the activation of cellular stress response pathways and autophagy. Recent studies have shown that FMDs can reduce amyloid-beta accumulation, tau phosphorylation, and inflammation, as well as improve cognitive function in animal models of AD. Human studies have also reported improvements in AD biomarkers, cognitive functions, and subjective well-being measures following FMDs. However, the optimal duration and frequency of FMDs and their long-term safety and efficacy remain to be determined. Despite these uncertainties, FMDs hold promise as a non-pharmacological approach to AD prevention and treatment, and further research in this area is warranted.
References
- Promoting health and longevity through diet: from model organisms to humans.
- Effects of Calorie Restriction on Health Span and Insulin Resistance: Classic Calorie Restriction Diet vs. Ketosis-Inducing Diet.
- Nutrition and Physical Activity as Modulators of Osteosarcopenic Adiposity: A Scoping Review and Recommendations for Future Research.
- Calorie restriction for enhanced longevity: The role of novel dietary strategies in the present obesogenic environment.
- Calorie Restriction and Aging in Humans.
- The ups and downs of caloric restriction and fasting: from molecular effects to clinical application.