Health News: A new study reveals fasting before starting a new diet will improve the health of people suffering from difficult-to-treat metabolic problems in the long term.
Previous studies in this subject have focused on intermittent fasting and its beneficial effect on heart health, weight, gut ecosystem. But, this study published in the journal Nature Communications. is one of the first studies with the strongest evidence yet that fasting before beginning a new diet can have cascading benefits for multiple health aspects.
The research recruited 145 participants with metabolic syndrome and on medication to follow DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet for 3 months. This Mediterranean-style diet includes lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish, lean white meat, but less dairy, sodium, and some fats. The participants were split into two groups. And only one group started the DASH diet after a five-day fast only having limited amounts of vegetable juices and broths.
The researchers then compared both groups and the results showed long-term differences in the gut microbiome, heart health, and immune system of fasting and DASH group that did not occur in the group that did not fast before the DASH diet.
According to the scientist. “Fasting acts as a catalyst for protective microorganisms in the gut. Health clearly improves very quickly and patients can cut back on their medication or even often stop taking tablets altogether.”
To Know More, You May Refer To:
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association. (2021, March 30). Fasting can be an effective way to start a diet. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 6, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330081248.htm
