Recent research on mice has shown that intermittent fasting can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adolescents. Scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), and the Helmholtz Center in Munich conducted the study, recently published in the journal "Cell Reports".
Professor of clinical nutrition at the Technical University of Munich, Alexander Bartelt, noted: "Until now, it has not been well understood what possible effects intermittent fasting could have." The researchers found that for adolescent mice, intermittent fasting can hinder the development of insulin-producing cells.
However, in adult mice, whose beta cells were already mature before the start of fasting, nothing changed. The results of the study on mice were compared with data from human tissues, where those with type 1 diabetes showed diminished production with underdeveloped cells.
The supplier and director of the Institute of Diabetes and Cancer at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Stefan Herzig, noted that their research confirms the benefits of intermittent fasting for adults, but for children and adolescents, it may be risky. The next step is to study the molecular mechanisms behind these observations in more depth.
The researchers studied three groups of mice: adolescents, adults, and aged. The animals were fed for one day, then returned to a two-day ration.
After 10 weeks, adult and elderly mice showed improved sensitivity to insulin, which is important for regulating blood sugar levels and preventing type 2 diabetes. However, adolescent mice experienced a decline in the functionality of beta cells responsible for insulin production in the pancreas.
According to one of the main authors of the study, Peter Weber from the Helmholtz Center in Munich, "our results indicate that intermittent fasting during adolescence may have long-term negative impacts on metabolism". The researchers used contemporary methods to determine the reasons for the impaired functioning of beta cells.
