Intermittent Fasting: Health Impacts and Therapeutic Potential

Dear Colleagues,

Intermittent fasting, a dietary regimen characterized by alternating periods of fasting and eating, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits, including weight reduction, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and a decreased risk of chronic illnesses (mainly cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes).

Research indicates that intermittent fasting modulates metabolic pathways by activating adaptive cellular stress responses. These responses are critical in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting DNA repair and autophagy, and enhancing mitochondrial functionality. Such processes are intimately linked with the onset and progression of various types of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis, suggesting that intermittent fasting may reduce the prevalence of these conditions across large populations. Moreover, intermittent fasting has been shown to elevate the production of neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory factors, thereby improving cognitive function and offering protection against age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In conclusion, intermittent fasting presents a promising nutritional strategy for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and the modulation of biological aging.

The aim of this Special Issue on “Intermittent Fasting: Health Impacts and Therapeutic Potential” is to compile studies that explore the mechanisms through which intermittent fasting may promote health and longevity. It seeks to provide an overview of the clinical significance of this dietary pattern in preventing and treating cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions from diverse fields and encourages researchers and nutrition experts to submit original research studies, review articles, and communications related to this critical health domain.

Dr. Cristina Manuela Dragoi
Dr. Alina Crenguța Nicolae
Guest Editors

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