Intermittent Fasting Enhanced the Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment by Inducing Biochemical and Metabolic changes: A 3-Year Progressive Study

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to various dietary regimens that cycle between a period of non-fasting and a period of total fasting. This study aimed to determine the effects of IF on cognitive function among elderly individuals who practice IF who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 99 elderly subjects with MCI of Malay ethnicity without any terminal illness were recruited from a larger cohort study, LRGS TUA. The subjects were divided into three groups, comprising those who were regularly practicing IF (r-IF), irregularly practicing IF (i-IF), and non-fasters (n-IF). Upon 36 months of follow-up, more MCI subjects in the r-IF group reverted to successful aging with no cognitive impairment and diseases (24.3%) compared to those in i-IF (14.2%) and n-IF groups (3.7%). The r-IF group’s subjects exhibited significant increment in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduction in body weight, levels of insulin, fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and DNA damage. Moreover, metabolomics analysis showed that IF may modulate cognitive function via various metabolite pathways, including the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, butanoate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Overall, the MCI-afflicted older adults who practiced IF regularly had better cognitive scores and reverted to better cognitive function at 36 months follow-up.

Association between Time Restricted Feeding and Cognitive Status in Older Italian Adults

“…However, not only plant-based foods and/or manipulation of macronutrient intake have an effect; in fact nutritional interventions that consist of reducing global calories or increasing the fasting window between two meals have often been reported to improve healthspan and lifespan in a variety of organisms in laboratory settings, with increasing evidence that they are effective in humans [ 12 ]. However, only recently some studies have been published on intermittent fasting (IF) and outcomes related to cognitive status, although results are unequivocal [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Studying the Relationship of Intermittent Fasting and β-Amyloid in Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Scoping Review

“…These people showed a significant increase in the antioxidant superoxide dismutase levels with significantly lower DNA damage events [57]. They were also found to have reduced malondialdehyde and c-reactive protein levels as compared to levels at baseline [57]. These subjects interestingly presented with a reversion towards healthy cognitive states upon 36 months period follow up [57].…”

“…However, its application in one relatable study of aged individuals has resulted in positive outcomes. Elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who regularly practice intermittent fasting showed a significant increase in cognitive scores in a wide range of psychological domains in contrast to irregular and nonregular fasters [57]. These people showed a significant increase in the antioxidant superoxide dismutase levels with significantly lower DNA damage events [57].…”

“…Elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who regularly practice intermittent fasting showed a significant increase in cognitive scores in a wide range of psychological domains in contrast to irregular and nonregular fasters [57]. These people showed a significant increase in the antioxidant superoxide dismutase levels with significantly lower DNA damage events [57]. They were also found to have reduced malondialdehyde and c-reactive protein levels as compared to levels at baseline [57].…”

Intermittent Fasting Enhances Hippocampal Npy Expression to Promote Neurogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Recent efforts have shown that cognition in multiple domains could be enhanced by IF [14][15][16][17]. In clinic trials, long-term energy restriction was demonstrated to induce improvements in executive function, verbal memory and global cognition in adults with overweight and mild cognitive impairments [18].…”