Some researchers have announced that the "5:2 intermittent fasting regimen," which involves eating for five days and fasting for two, protects against liver inflammation and does not lead to weight gain. They indicated that "the proteins providing this protective effect for the body have been identified," according to an article published on New Atlas, referencing the journal Cell Metabolism.
#### Liver Failure and Cancer
The most common chronic liver condition globally is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), characterized by fat accumulation in the liver that is not due to excessive alcohol intake. NAFLD is linked to genetics and overweight or obesity. If untreated, NAFLD can evolve into its more severe form, known as NASH, which features liver scarring and increases the risk of liver failure and liver cancer.
#### Effects of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting has recently gained popularity as a means to improve health, including liver health. In a new study, researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the University of Tübingen examined the effects of intermittent fasting on liver diseases.
#### A Deadly Vicious Cycle
Matthias Heikenwalder from DKFZ and the University of Tübingen noted that "the vicious cycle of unhealthy eating, obesity, liver inflammation, and liver cancer represents significant constraints and suffering for those affected, as well as a substantial burden on healthcare systems." He pointed out that the aim of the study was to investigate "whether simple dietary changes could disrupt this deadly cycle."
#### Western Diet
The researchers fed laboratory mice a Western diet high in fats and sugars for 32 weeks to induce Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. One group of mice continued on an unrestricted Western diet, while another group was placed on a weekly 5:2 intermittent fasting regimen, consisting of two non-consecutive days without food but with free access to water.
#### Preference for 5:2 Fasting
As expected, the mice with unlimited food intake gained weight and body fat and developed chronic liver inflammation. In contrast, despite consuming more food on non-fasting days, the intermittent fasting group did not gain weight, showed fewer signs of liver disease, and had lower levels of biomarkers indicating liver damage. The researchers concluded that the 5:2 regimen made the mice resistant to the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. By experimenting with the length and frequency of fasting periods, they found that the 5:2 regimen was superior to the 6:1 regimen, and 24-hour fasting was better than 12-hour fasting.
#### Two Proteins for Preventive Response
By comparing the protein composition, metabolic pathways, and gene activity in the livers of fasting and non-fasting mice, two proteins responsible for the protective response to fasting were identified: PPAR-alpha and PCK1. PPAR-alpha is a key regulator of fat metabolism in the liver and is essential for ketone generation by breaking down fatty acids for ketone bodies and responding to long-term fasting. PCK1 is an enzyme responsible for regulating gluconeogenesis, the biosynthesis of glucose from certain non-carbohydrate carbon sources.
Heikenwalder stated, "Fasting cycles lead to profound metabolic changes, which work together as beneficial mechanisms for detoxification and help combat liver inflammation and scarring."
#### Protective Effects After Four Months
After another four months of intermittent fasting, the laboratory mice suffering from NASH due to a Western diet showed better blood values, less fatty liver, and reduced liver inflammation, as well as a lower incidence of liver cancer. Heikenwalder explained that the results demonstrate "that the 5:2 intermittent fasting has great potential—both in the prevention of liver inflammation and failure, and cancer, as well as in the treatment of chronic liver inflammation."
