A 21 day Daniel Fast improves selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in men and women

Abstract

BackgroundDietary modification via both caloric and nutrient restriction is associated with multiple health benefits, some of which are related to an improvement in antioxidant status and a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species. The Daniel Fast is based on the Biblical book of Daniel, is commonly partaken for 21 days, and involves food intake in accordance with a stringent vegan diet. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a 21 day Daniel Fast on biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress.Methods43 subjects (13 men; 30 women; 35 ± 1 yrs; range: 20-62 yrs) completed a 21 day Daniel Fast following the guidelines provided by investigators. Subjects reported to the lab in a 12 hour post-absorptive state both pre fast (day 1) and post fast (day 22). At each visit, blood was collected for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrate/nitrite (NOx), Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). Subjects recorded dietary intake during the 7 day period immediately prior to the fast and during the final 7 days of the fast.ResultsA decrease was noted in MDA (0.66 ± 0.0.03 vs. 0.56 ± 0.02 μmol L-1; p = 0.004), while H2O2 demonstrated a trend for lowering (4.42 ± 0.32 vs. 3.78 ± 0.21 μmol L-1; p = 0.074). Both NOx (18.79 ± 1.92 vs. 26.97 ± 2.40 μmol L-1; p = 0.003) and TEAC (0.47 ± 0.01 vs. 0.51 ± 0.01 mmol L-1; p = 0.001) increased from pre to post fast, while ORAC was unchanged (5243 ± 103 vs. 5249 ± 183 μmol L-1 TE; p = 0.974). As expected, multiple differences in dietary intake were noted (p < 0.05), including a reduction in total calorie intake (2185 ± 94 vs. 1722 ± 85).ConclusionModification of dietary intake in accordance with the Daniel Fast is associated with an improvement in selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress, including metabolites of nitric oxide (i.e., NOx).

Influence of a 6-month modified or traditional Daniel Fast on measures of health in men and women

“…A weakness of the present study is the omission of biochemical measures related to oxidative stress and antioxidant activity, as we have included in prior studies [3]. This, coupled with the failure to include a more detailed analysis of inflammation, perhaps as measured by a cytokine profile, should be considered a limitation of this work.…”

“…For mood, vitality, and satiety, participants rated each item using a scale of 1-10 (1=as low as possible; 10=as high as possible). These data were based entirely on self-report and we used the same questions as in our prior research of the DF [1][2][3][4].…”

“…The dietary restriction model known as the Daniel Fast (DF) is a stringent plant-based plan shown to yield multiple health-related benefits when followed for a 21-day period [1][2][3][4]. The DF is considered to be a partial fast, in which restrictions are simply placed on the type of foods that may be consumed but not on the amount of food.…”

Minimizing Postprandial Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Exercise and Selected Nutrients

“…Moreover, insulin, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein all showed a trend for improvement . Improvements were also noted in several measures of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity (Bloomer, Kabir, Trepanowski et al, 2011). In a follow-up study involving this model, both resting and postprandial biomarkers were favorably impacted (unpublished findings), suggesting that this form of eating (e.g., stringent vegan diet) may be associated with multiple favorable effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health.…”

“…Collectively these effects may help to minimize postprandial oxidative stress. The rationale for regular and structured exercise (Praet & van Loon, 2007;Tucker et al, 2008), coupled with the intake of a nutrient dense, macronutrient balanced, and portion controlled eating plan Bloomer, Kabir, Trepanowski et al, 2011;Jenkins et al, 2007), complete with use of selected nutrients to aid in both glucose and triglyceride processing (Badimon et al, 2010;Davi et al, 2010;Nahas & Moher, 2009), appears well supported. Suggestions are provided in Table 1.…”