Over the past decade, the condition of the liver has deteriorated significantly
The controlled practice of depriving the body of energy may be beneficial for some pathologies, such as fatty liver disease.
According to the World Health Organization, liver diseases have become a global public health problem due to their increasing prevalence worldwide.WHO). In 2023 there was a noticeable increase in cases of liver diseaseWhat These range from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to more severe diseases such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. This increase has caused alarm in the medical and scientific communities, as well as in healthcare systems, due to its serious consequences for the health and quality of life of those who suffer from it.
Recent study carried out by the German Cancer Research Center and University of Tübingen showed that intermittent fasting may provide protection against liver inflammation and even liver cancer. Published in a prestigious magazine Cellular metabolismthis work provides new insight into the benefits of intermittent fasting for liver health.
Supervised Practice Depriving the body of energy may be useful in some pathologies. Both experimental and clinical studies have shown that fasting has a positive effect on metabolic syndrome. Specifically, this study found that it could improve parameters associated with metabolic liver steatosis, commonly known as fatty liver.
A team of researchers focused on analyzing how intermittent fasting might affect the liver and found promising results. According to their findings, intermittent fasting may not only slow the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but also prevent it from developing into more serious conditions such as chronic inflammation and liver cancer.
Fatty liver
President of the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH), Jose Luis Calleja, states that 20% to 25% of the Spanish population suffer from fatty liverpathology, which is the third cause of liver cancer; although it is thought this will likely be a first in a decade given its increasing prevalence.
This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver in people do not abuse alcohol. If left untreated, NAFLD can progress and cause chronic liver inflammation, which is a significant risk factor for liver cancer, the study researchers explained.
The report highlights that intermittent fasting may be an effective intervention to interrupt this process. Through controlled periods of fastingThe body can reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver, thereby reducing the risk of inflammation and cell damage that can lead to cancer. According to the researchers, their findings suggest that 5:2 intermittent fasting (which consists of two very low-calorie or fasting days and 5 days of “normal” eating) has great potential in preventing both fatty liver disease and liver cancer. , as well as in the treatment of established chronic liver inflammation.
The results of this study may have important implications for public health recommendations and treatment of NAFLD. TO promote intermittent fasting as a preventive strategyThe liver health of many people can be improved by reducing the incidence of serious and life-threatening liver disease.