Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss: New Study Shows It May Rewire Your Brain and Reduce Cravings
The idea that intermittent fasting can help fight unwanted flab isn’t new, but pioneering studies seem to show that intermittent energy restriction improves brain function while making positive changes to the gut microbiome.e.
New Research Suggests Fasting May Rejuvenate the Brain
Basic research in China, carried out in 2023, supported by promising follow-up work from then, including 2024. project that shows that fasting and protein walking not only helps in weight loss, but also improves the presence of good gut bacteria. The theory is that fasting not only burns fat, it also improves your body’s ability to handle cravings, and even rewires the brain.
“The gut microbiome is thought to communicate with the brain in a complex, bidirectional way,” explained Dr. Xiaoning Wang from the Institute of Geriatrics of the PLA General Hospital, who worked as a collaborator on the 2023 study. “The microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins, which reach the brain through the nerves and blood circulation. In turn, the brain controls the way we eat, while nutrients from our food change the composition of the gut microbiome,”
This is important, because some of the changes in eating behavior that result from intermittent fasting include a reduction in cravings and greater self-control associated with eating more calories. Of course, with over a billion people living with obesity worldwide, a better understanding of how intermittent fasting can help in the fight against obesity is of great concern.
How Intermittent Fasting Changes the Gut Microbiome
In the original study, a small sample of participants was put into a 32-day fasting phase, gradually restricting their calorie intake until it reached 25% of their energy needs. This was followed by a 30-day phase of 500 calories per day for women, and 600 calories for men. By the end of the study, the subjects had lost approximately 7.8% of their initial body weight, experiencing a decrease in body fat and waist measurements. But it didn’t end there. Blood pressure levels improved, as did cholesterol and liver enzymes. Using magnetic resonance imaging, the scientists also showed that brain regions associated with appetite, emotion, and reward were activated.
“A healthy, balanced gut microbiome is essential for energy homeostasis and maintaining a normal weight,” said coauthor Dr. Yongli Li. “On the contrary, an abnormal gut microbiome can change the way we eat by affecting a specific area of the brain involved in addiction.”
The Link Between Brain Function and Fat Loss
Changes in brain activity seem to show that intermittent fasting doesn’t just help burn fat when you’re in a calorie deficit. It can also help us better control our decisions about the food choices we make. 2023 survey and follow-up updates have shown that the presence or lack of certain bacteria in the gut can be directly related to brain function. For example, the presence of Flavonifractor plautii was linked to greater levels of attention, emotion regulation, and learning ability.
Since one of the biggest obstacles in the way of fat loss is a matter of determination, the idea that intermittent fasting can put us in a better position to make good decisions, without the need for drugs, is welcome. “The next question that needs to be answered is the exact way in which the gut microbiome and the brain interact with obese people, including during weight loss,” explains Dr. Liming Wang. “Which specific regions of the gut microbiome and brain are important for successful weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight?” Important work is underway, determining the best type of fasting, protein, and calorie intake to provide the best results in this exciting area of study.
