Francis E. Umesiri, PhD. John Brown University Siloam Springs, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Francis E. Umesiri, PhD. John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Introduction  I grew up in Southern Nigeria.  As a Christian, I fasted more regularly back home than I was doing in the US. Why?  But reading a Science journal article on caloric restriction research got me jolted into fasting again.

Fasting: Scientific Definition  Caloric Restriction (CR): reduction by 20 - 40% ad libitum consumption  Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF): consume food ad libitum one day, and reduce or withhold food consumption next day.  Unlike ADF, CR tends to result in weight loss  Dietary Restriction (DR): restriction of one or more macronutrient component, with little or no reduction in total energy intake.  Current research suggests that protein reduction extends life by about 20%; mostly due to reduction in methionine intake.

Fasting and Health Benefits  Fasting has two potential benefits :  Extend life span – in almost all animal models, from fruit flies to dogs.  Extend Health span – period of our life in which we live disease-free; or delay in onset of age-associated diseases.  It is not conclusive if fasting extends human life. But it does seem to increase health span in humans.

Fasting and Health Benefits  The Comprehensive Assessment of the Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy ( CALERIE)  NIH-sponsored randomized human clinical trials  Phase 1 has been concluded, and Phase 2 is also being completed.  CALERIE study shows that fasting improves biological health indicators associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases etc.  Biomarkers evaluated include: metabolic rate, oxyradical formation, insulin sensitivity and secretion, core temperature, cardiovascular risk markers, neuroendocrine function, cognitive function etc. Stewart et al . Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy Phase 2 (CALERIE Phase 2) screening and recruitment: methods and results. Contemp Clin Trials. 2013 Jan;34(1):10-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22981898

Fasting and Diabetes  Fasting Reduces risk of Type 2 Diabetes :  Blood glucose decreased even when there was no weight loss or when insulin sensitivity was not improved. How?  Fasting improves function of Beta cells.  β -cells regulates production, release and storage of insulin in the pancreas. Malandrucco et al. Very-low-calorie diet: a quick therapeutic tool to improve β cell function in morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. March 2012 vol. 95 no. 3 609-613. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/95/3/609.long#ref-1

Fasting and Cancer  Fasting Reduces risk of Cancer :  In a 20-year study with rhesus monkeys, 30% caloric restriction reduced cancer incidence by 50% (1).  Phase 1 of CALERIE also confirms reduced risk for cancer, on humans placed on 20-30% CR for 6-months (2).  Based on cancer biomarkers such oxyradical formation, and mitochondrial efficiency in terms of electron leakage. 1. Colman et al. Caloric restriction delays disease onset and mortality in rhesus monkeys. Science. 2009 Jul 10;325(5937):201-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19590001. 2. Meydani et al. The effect of caloric restriction and glycemic load on measures of oxidative stress and antioxidants in humans: results from the CALERIE Trial of Human Caloric Restriction. J Nutr Health Aging. 2011 Jun;15(6):456-60. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21623467

Fasting and Cardiovascular Health  Fasting reduces risk of arteriosclerosis :  CALERIE study specifically investigated role of CR on cardiovascular risk factors – lipid levels and high blood pressure etc.  36 individuals placed on 12.5 – 25% CR or ad libitum diet.  After 6 months, cardiovascular risk factors in CR groups were significantly less Lefevre et al . Caloric restriction alone and with exercise improves CVD in healthy non-obese individuals. Atherosclerosis. 2009 Mar; 203(1): 206 – 213. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2692631/

Christian Fasting Studied  Daniel Fast: Daniel 1:8-16; Daniel 10:2-3.  Has comparable health benefits as CR.  Resulted in lower levels of HDL cholesterol, incidentally. Recommended to include sources of HDL cholesterol during Daniel Fast (olive oil, peanuts, fish, and other omega-3 fatty acids).  Lent and Nativity Fast  Results are mixed. In general, health benefits are not as pronounced as in Daniel Fast Bloomer RJ et al. Effect of a 21 day Daniel Fast on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women. Lipids Health Dis. 2010; 9: 94. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941756/?tool=pubmed

Fasting and Listening Faith  Isaiah 40: 6-31  Cancer, diabetes, heart attack remind us of human frailty, our mortality. The flower fades. We grow old, and die. Even youths faint and grow weary.  But in observing the God who has made the heavens and earth, we draw hope in his ability to keep us.  In prayer and fasting, we listen and wait on this God of all nature.  Till he gives us new strength to fly, run and walk without growing weary.

Questions?  Preceding discussions are based on Fasting for Life (January 5, 2016)