The FastDay Forum

The 5:2 Lab

8 posts Page 1 of 1
I came across this article which does an interesting comparison between rat and human physiology with respect to fasting periods. As I suspected an ADF protocol for rats is a much bigger intervention than we are doing!

http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/45 ... correctly/
Oh dear - no way we could fast for 120/200 hrs :bugeyes: Never mind, we'll just have to go with all the other benefits that this WOL provides - but it's looking as if longevity and reduced alzheimer's risk is off the list (in my extremely simplistic way of thinking) - thanks for the post carorees, fascinating reading :smile:
This post was from over 2 years ago. See a Guardian article from Feb 2012 which quotes Dr Mark Mattson (one of our heroes from that Horizon programme). OK the evidence is presently restricted to animals because it is difficult to get the evidence for humans, but he sounds optimistic. Here is another article, more in depth, based on the same anouncement I think, and also referring to Dr Harvie's work. And another here. All have some unique info, but it does seem we will have to wait for the hard evidence from human trials.

I hope PhilT can dig out some good stuff on this!

[Off-topic, maybe it was the news from Dr Mattson which set off some of the very early 5:2 adopters - it predates Dr M's programme by 6 months? If you want to have a laugh, see the stupid comments written under the Guardian article.]
The bit I thought was useful was the indication of what a 24 hour fast for a rat would be for us. When people panic about heart problems etc it is worth remembering that the ADF protocol for a rat is a very big thing. There is evidence that ADF and even 2 days of fasting does affect IGF-1 or mTOR suggesting that it could help reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer that use that pathway while there is also some evidence in humans that fasting may increase BDNF and hence may influence the risk of neurodegenerative disease.
Agreed. Any attempt to extrapolate mathematically from rats to humans whether on 1:1 or 1:6 or 1:10 is flawed, as your topic title says. The evidence from rats is suggestive and that's about it, I suppose.
That's the first mention I've seen of hypothermia in the CR'd rats - interesting, as so many people following 5:2 seem to report feeling very cold on fast days. (Not that 'hypothermia' and 'feeling very cold' are the same thing, but it's a noteworthy connection, I think.)

Thank you for posting the article, carorees.
Suchard007 wrote: it's looking as if longevity and reduced alzheimer's risk is off the list


well the jury is still out, but in the recent radio transcript here, Dr M says:

Dr Michael Mosley wrote: The dementia studies are being done primarily in mice, but the human trials are just beginning and Dr. Mark Mattson, who runs the studies at the National Institutes on Ageing, is pretty convinced that he will see similar benefits and indeed his primary concern is dementia... (Dr Mattson) is just starting human trials now in which they will be put on an intermittent fasting diet along the lines I've described, a five, two diet. And they will follow them for two years...
So watch this space (er in about two years time, or so...)
Not sure I know enough about normal lab feeding to come to a conclusion, for example :-

"The 50% ER mice were fed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Friday the mice received 2.6 times the amount fed at the other feedings. The control mice were fed daily, except weekends. On Friday they were given a 3-d allotment of food. Feeding was between 0900 and 1100 h. All food was routinely consumed before the next feeding."

so in this case the controls are fed daily with 22h to the next feed. Hmm.
8 posts Page 1 of 1
Similar Topics

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests

START THE 5:2 DIET WITH HELP FROM FASTDAY

Be healthier. Lose weight. Eat the foods you love, most of the time.

Learn about the 5:2 diet

LEARN ABOUT FASTING
We've got loads of info about intermittent fasting, written in a way which is easy to understand. Whether you're wondering about side effects or why the scales aren't budging, we've got all you need to know.

Your intermittent fasting questions answered ASK QUESTIONS & GET SUPPORT
Come along to the FastDay Forum, we're a friendly bunch and happy to answer your fasting questions and offer support. Why not join in one of our regular challenges to help you towards your goal weight?

Use our free 5:2 diet tracker FREE 5:2 DIET PROGRESS TRACKER & BLOG
Tracking your diet progress is great for staying motivated. Chart your measurements and keep tabs on your daily calorie needs. You can even create a free blog to journal your 5:2 experience!