Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 08, 2025 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists uncover how food and fasting boost natural body repair for a longer life
Can changing what and when we eat really help us live longer? A groundbreaking review by researchers from Nara Women’s University in Japan reveals that certain dieting methods like mild fasting and nutrient-rich foods can improve the body’s internal cleaning system called autophagy, potentially leading to a longer and healthier life.
Fasting and specific foods may help the body clean itself from the inside, boosting health and extending lifespan
This
Medical News report explores how carefully planned diets can activate key pathways in our cells that clean up damaged materials, help us resist diseases, and delay aging.
How the Body Repairs Itself
At the heart of this study is autophagy, a natural process where cells break down and recycle their own waste. When autophagy works well, it keeps cells young and functional. But as we age, this system weakens, leading to problems like memory loss, muscle breakdown, heart disease, and even cancer.
The researchers focused on a key protein called AMPK—the body’s energy regulator. When AMPK is activated, it signals cells to start autophagy. Fasting and certain foods can trigger this protein, kickstarting the body’s self-repair process.
The Role of Tiny Molecules Called ncRNAs
The study also highlights how non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)—tiny molecules that help control which genes are active—affect autophagy. Some ncRNAs can block or promote this process. For example, miR-34a can slow down autophagy, while others like miR-29 and miR-83 may help boost it and extend life in animals.
Fasting and Food as Medicine
One of the most exciting findings is that mild fasting, such as intermittent fasting or short-term calorie restriction, can improve heart function, protect brain cells, and even fight cancer by promoting autophagy. These effects are linked to changes in AMPK and helpful RNAs.
Certain foods and natural compounds were also shown to improve longevity:
-Berberine (found in traditional Chinese herbs) activates AMPK like a prescription drug.
-Flavonoids like quercetin, luteolin, and puerarin found in fruits and vegetables protect the heart and brain.
-Hesperidin and resveratrol have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects by supporting autophagy.
Conclusions
The study strongly suggests that living longer may not require expensive treatments—just the right foods and fasting patterns. By boosting autophagy through diet and natural compounds, we may be able to reduce the risk of age-related diseases, maintain energy, and promote healthy aging. The research makes it clear that smart dieting is not just about losing weight, but about helping our body stay young from the inside out.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Non-Coding RNA
https://www.mdpi.com/2311-553X/11/6/77
For the latest on Diet, Nutrition, fasting and Anti-Aging, keep on logging to Thailand
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/diets-and-nutrition
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/anti-aging
https://thailandwellness.news/fisetin-the-rising-senolytic-craze-transforming-modern-biohacking/
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