The Literal Best Fasting to Increase Lifespan (alters mitochondria)

About this video

• Video Title: The Literal Best Fasting to Increase Lifespan (alters mitochondria)
• Channel: Thomas DeLauer
• Speakers: Thomas DeLauer
• Duration: 00:07:55

Overview

This video discusses the optimal approach to fasting for lifespan extension, distinguishing it from continuous caloric restriction. It highlights a study comparing fasting, caloric restriction, and ad libitum eating in rodents, and references another study on monkeys concerning diet quality during caloric restriction. The speaker advocates for a "fasting and feasting" approach, suggesting intermittent fasting several days a week combined with nutrient-dense meals on other days, emphasizing that the benefits of fasting are linked to isolated periods of caloric restriction.

Key takeaways

• Fasting vs. Caloric Restriction for Lifespan: A study found that both 30% caloric restriction and a 21-hour fasting followed by ad libitum eating period extended lifespan in rodents similarly. However, the fasting group did not need to continuously restrict calories to achieve these benefits.
• Diet Quality Matters: A study on monkeys indicated that caloric restriction only extended lifespan when the diet consisted of processed food. When fed a whole-food diet, caloric restriction did not show the same lifespan-extending benefits.
• "Fasting and Feasting" Approach: The speaker suggests that lifespan extension is achieved through periods of caloric restriction (fasting) followed by periods of eating nutrient-dense, wholesome foods, rather than continuous, low-level caloric restriction.
• Intermittent Fasting Recommendation: Instead of daily severe calorie deficits, the speaker recommends alternating between 2-3 days per week of one or two meals a day, and other days of eating freely with nutritious food. This approach is seen as more sustainable and beneficial for metabolism.
• Benefits of Isolated Caloric Restriction: The video emphasizes that the benefits of fasting are largely due to the isolated, deeper caloric deficit during the fasting period, which may activate different metabolic pathways than mild, continuous caloric restriction.