Efficacy of a fasting-mimicking diet in functional therapy for depression: A randomised controlled pilot trial

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Depression

ABSTRACT

Novel treatment strategies that refract existing treatment algorithms for depressive disorders are being sought. Abnormal brain bioenergetic metabolism may represent an alternative, therapeutically targetable neurobiological basis for depression. A growing body of research points to endogenous ketones as candidate neuroprotective metabolites with the potential to enhance brain bioenergetics and improve mood. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, originally approved for the treatment of diabetes, induce ketogenesis and are associated with mood improvement in population-based studies. In this column, we highlight the rationale for the hypothesis that ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be an effective treatment for depressive disorders.

Comparing the influence of foot reflexology and fasting mimicking diet on quality of life and sleep quality in obesity hypoventilation syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is one of the most serious outcomes of obesity-related respiratory difficulties, resulting in higher healthcare costs as well as increased cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Sixty-two males who had a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea according to the STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Questionnaire were enrolled in the study. Their age is 50-60 years old, and they have a BMI of 35-40 kg/m², daytime hypercapnia, and sleep breathing problems. The patients were divided into two equal groups at random reflexology fasting-mimicking diet groups. Weight, height, waist, and neck circumference were assessed at the beginning of the study and after two months of the intervention. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which is used to evaluate sleep quality. The Maugeri Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (MOSAS) questionnaire was used to assess a patient's quality of life.

RESULTS

There was a significant change in the MOSAS and PSQI questionnaires for both groups post-intervention, as the p-value was less than 0.05. The percentage change in the MOSAS questionnaire score and PSQI questionnaire was higher in the mimic diet group than in the reflexology group. Also, the mimic diet group's weight and neck circumference were considerably reduced after the intervention, with no change in the reflexology group.

CONCLUSIONS

Reflexology and a fasting-mimicking diet were found to have a substantial impact on enhancing the quality of life and sleep in people with obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

The Effects of a Fasting Mimicking Diet on Skin Hydration, Skin Texture, and Skin Assessment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Diet and nutrition have been shown to impact dermatological conditions. This has increased attention toward integrative and lifestyle medicine in the management of skin health. Emerging research around fasting diets, specifically the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), has provided clinical evidence for chronic inflammatory, cardiometabolic, and autoimmune diseases. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of a five-day FMD protocol, administrated once a month for three months, on facial skin parameters, including skin hydration and skin roughness, in a group of 45 healthy women between the ages of 35 to 60 years old over the course of 71 days. The results of the study revealed that the three consecutive monthly cycles of FMD resulted in a significant percentage increase in skin hydration at day 11 (p = 0.00013) and at day 71 (p = 0.02) relative to baseline. The results also demonstrated maintenance of skin texture in the FMD group compared to an increase in skin roughness in the control group (p = 0.032). In addition to skin biophysical properties, self-reported data also demonstrated significant improvement in components of mental states such as happiness (p = 0.003) and confidence (0.039). Overall, these findings provide evidence for the potential use of FMD in improving skin health and related components of psychological well-being.

Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá'í Fasting: Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach

Background/Objective: Historically, fasting has been practiced not only for medical but also for religious reasons. Bahá’ís follow an annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days. We inquired into motivation behind and subjective health impacts of Bahá’í fasting. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was embedded in a clinical single arm observational study. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted before (n = 7), during (n = 8), and after fasting (n = 8). Three months after the fasting period, two focus group interviews were conducted (n = 5/n = 3). A total of 146 Bahá’í volunteers answered an online survey at five time points before, during, and after fasting. Results: Fasting was found to play a central role for the religiosity of interviewees, implying changes in daily structures, spending time alone, engaging in religious practices, and experiencing social belonging. Results show an increase in mindfulness and well-being, which were accompanied by behavioural changes and experiences of self-efficacy and inner freedom. Survey scores point to an increase in mindfulness and well-being during fasting, while stress, anxiety, and fatigue decreased. Mindfulness remained elevated even three months after the fast. Conclusion: Bahá’í fasting seems to enhance participants’ mindfulness and well-being, lowering stress levels and reducing fatigue. Some of these effects lasted more than three months after fasting.

Intermittent and Periodic Fasting, Hormones, and Cancer Prevention

The restriction of proteins, amino acids or sugars can have profound effects on the levels of hormones and factors including growth hormone, IGF-1 and insulin. In turn, these can regulate intracellular signaling pathways as well as cellular damage and aging, but also multisystem regeneration. Both intermittent (IF) and periodic fasting (PF) have been shown to have both acute and long-term effects on these hormones. Here, we review the effects of nutrients and fasting on hormones and genes established to affect aging and cancer. We describe the link between dietary interventions and genetic pathways affecting the levels of these hormones and focus on the mechanisms responsible for the cancer preventive effects. We propose that IF and PF can reduce tumor incidence both by delaying aging and preventing DNA damage and immunosenescence and also by killing damaged, pre-cancerous and cancer cells.

The impact of healthy lifestyles on academic achievement among Italian adolescents

We evaluated the association between healthy lifestyles and academic achievement in a sample of 373 adolescent Italian students. Specifically, we investigated on the association between use of illegal drugs, habits to practice a regular physical, typology of diet, levels of social support, levels of self-esteem, level of Internet use, perceived stress and amount of sleep and academic achievement. Academic performance was positively correlated with good diet, perceived social support, and self-esteem. A statistically significant difference emerged between students with high versus low correct grade point averages in relation to lifetime and current use of illegal drugs. Last, academic performance was negatively correlated with Internet use, perceived stress, and bad diet. A multiple regression analysis was conducted in order to predict academic achievement based on good diet, physical activity, self-esteem, sleep hours, perceived stress, problematic Internet use, perceived social support, and lifetime substance use while controlling for age, gender, and years of education. As expected, healthy lifestyles behaviors were highlighted as a significant predictor in academic achievement. Specifically, it was showed that a good diet as well as nonproblematic Internet use significantly predicted academic success. Moreover, it was found that gender did not moderate the relationship between those predictors and academic achievement. The results of our study show that to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors is a relevant factor for a better performance at school, at least in our sample.