Effects of 2-day calorie restriction on cardiovascular autonomic response, mood, and cognitive and motor functions in obese young adult women

The impact of continuous calorie restriction and fasting on cognition in adults without eating disorders

Research into the effects of calorie restriction continues to intrigue those interested in whether it may allow humans to live longer and healthier lives. Animal studies of continuous calorie restriction (CCR) and fasting have demonstrated substantial advantages to health and longevity. However, concerns remain about the impact of restricting calorie intake on human health and cognition. Given the emerging evidence of cognitive impairments in eating disorders, studies investigating restricted calorie intake in healthy humans (in an ethical way) may also have implications for understanding restrictive eating disorders. In this review, the published literature on the impact of CCR and fasting on cognitive function in healthy human participants is synthesized. Of the 33 studies of CCR and fasting in humans identified, 23 demonstrated significant changes in cognition. Despite variation across the cognitive domains, results suggest CCR benefits inhibition, processing speed, and working memory, but may lead to impairments in cognitive flexibility. The results of fasting studies suggest fasting is associated with impairments in cognitive flexibility and psychomotor abilities. Overall, the results of these studies suggest the degree (ie, the severity) of calorie restriction is what most likely predicts cognitive improvements as opposed to impairments. For individuals engaging in sustained restriction, this may have serious, irreversible consequences. However, there are mixed findings regarding the impact of CCR and fasting on this aspect of human functioning, suggesting further research is required to understand the costs and benefits of different types of calorie restriction.

Effects of Caloric Restriction and Intermittent Fasting and Their Combined Exercise on Cognitive Functioning: A Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The impact of dietary habits on cognitive function is increasingly gaining attention. The review is to discuss how caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF) can enhance cognitive function in healthy states through multiple pathways that interact with one another. Secondly, to explore the effects of CR and IF on cognitive function in conditions of neurodegenerative diseases, obesity diabetes and aging, as well as potential synergistic effects in combination with exercise to prevent cognitively related neurodegenerative diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

With age, the human brain ages and develops corresponding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy, which in turn trigger cognitive impairment. Recent research indicates that the impact of diet and exercise on cognitive function is increasingly gaining attention. The benefits of exercise for cognitive function and brain plasticity are numerous, and future research can examine the efficacy of particular dietary regimens during physical activity when combined with diet which can prevent cognitive decline.

Dietary energy restriction in neurological diseases: what's new?

Energy-restricted diet is a specific dietary regimen, including the continuous energy-restricted diet and the intermittent energy-restricted diet. It has been proven effective not only to reduce weight and extend the lifespan in animal models, but also to regulate the development and progression of various neurological diseases such as epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease) and autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis). However, the mechanism in this field is still not clear and a systematic neurological summary is still missing. In this review, we first give a brief summary of the definition and mainstream strategies of energy restrictions. We then review evidence about the effects of energy-restricted diet from both animal models and human trials, and update the current understanding of mechanisms underlying the biological role of energy-restricted diet in the fight against neurological diseases. Our review thus contributes to the modification of dietary regimen and the search for special diet mimics.

Validation of a Lithuanian-Language Version of the Brunel Mood Scale: The BRUMS-LTU

Mood can be considered as a diffuse and global emotional state, with both valence and arousal characteristics, that is not directed towards a specific object. Investigation of moods in specific language and cultural contexts relies on the availability of appropriately validated measures. The current study involved the translation and validation of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) from English into Lithuanian. The 24-item, 6-factor scale, referred to as the BRUMS-LTU, was administered to 746 participants who were fluent in Lithuanian (nmen = 199 (26.7%), nwomen = 547 (73.3%); age range = 17-78 years, M = 41.8 years, SD = 11.4 years). Confirmatory factor analysis showed an adequate fit of the hypothesized measurement model to the data (CFI  =  0.954, TLI  = 0 .944, RMSEA  = 0 .060 [CI 0.056, 0.064], SRMR = 0.070) and multi-sample analysis supported configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance across genders. Concurrent measures (i.e., Perceived Stress Scale, Big Five Personality Test) correlated with subscale scores in line with theoretical predictions, supporting both convergent and divergent validity. Internal consistency coefficients of the six subscales were satisfactory. Mood scores varied significantly by gender, with men generally reporting more positive moods than women. Findings support the adequacy of the psychometric properties of the BRUMS-LTU. Thus, the scale can be recommended for use in further psychological studies of mood in Lithuania and may also be useful for applied practitioners.

Can dietary patterns prevent cognitive impairment and reduce Alzheimer's disease risk: exploring the underlying mechanisms of effects

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the fastest growing cognitive decline-related neurological diseases. To date, effective curative strategies have remained elusive. A growing body of evidence indicates that dietary patterns have significant effects on cognitive function and the risk of developing AD. Previous studies on the association between diet and AD risk have mainly focused on individual food components and specific nutrients, and the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of dietary patterns on AD are not well understood. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet, Mediterranean-DASH diet intervention for neurological delay (MIND), ketogenic diet, caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, methionine restriction, and low-protein and high-carbohydrate diet, on cognitive impairment and summarizes the underlying mechanisms by which dietary patterns attenuate cognitive impairment, especially highlighting the modulation of dietary patterns on cognitive impairment through gut microbiota. Furthermore, considering the variability in individual metabolic responses to dietary intake, we put forward a framework to develop personalized dietary patterns for people with cognitive disorders or AD based on individual gut microbiome compositions.

Recent Neurotherapeutic Strategies to Promote Healthy Brain Aging: Are we there yet?

Owing to the global exponential increase in population ageing, there is an urgent unmet need to develop reliable strategies to slow down and delay the ageing process. Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in our contemporary society and represent a major socio-economic burden. There are several controversial factors that are thought to play a causal role in brain ageing which are continuously being examined in experimental models. Among them are oxidative stress and brain inflammation which are empirical to brain ageing. Although some candidate drugs have been developed which reduce the ageing phenotype, their clinical translation is limited. There are several strategies currently in development to improve brain ageing. These include strategies such as caloric restriction, ketogenic diet, promotion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, removal of senescent cells, 'young blood' transfusions, enhancement of adult neurogenesis, stem cell therapy, vascular risk reduction, and non-pharmacological lifestyle strategies. Several studies have shown that these strategies can not only improve brain ageing by attenuating age-related neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, but also maintain cognitive function in a variety of pre-clinical experimental murine models. However, clinical evidence is limited and many of these strategies are awaiting findings from large-scale clinical trials which are nascent in the current literature. Further studies are needed to determine their long-term efficacy and lack of adverse effects in various tissues and organs to gain a greater understanding of their potential beneficial effects on brain ageing and health span in humans.

Tai chi improves psychoemotional state, cognition, and motor learning in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a 10-week tai chi intervention on psychoemotional state, cognition, and motor learning in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants aged 60-78 years were randomized to either a control group (n = 15) or a tai chi group (n = 15) for a 10-week period. The tai chi group received two, 8-form tai chi classes of 60 min duration per week. Changes in psychoemotional state, cognition, and the learning of fast and accurate reaching movements were assessed. In addition, the potential roles of the autonomic nervous system and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were investigated. Tai chi practice decreased (P < 0.05) perceived stress, whereas no change in autonomic nervous system activity was observed. Improvements in mental switching correlated with decreased depressive symptoms and increased BDNF levels (P < 0.05), whereas improvements in inhibitory control tended to correlate with BDNF levels (P = 0.08). Improvements in visuospatial processing tended to correlate with decreased depressive symptoms (P = 0.07) while improved visuospatial processing correlated with improved motor planning during learning tasks (P < 0.05). This study suggests that tai chi is an effective intervention that can be delivered under pandemic conditions to improve mental and physical function in older adults.

Two Months of Using Global Recommendations for Physical Activity Had No Impact on Cognitive or Motor Functions in Overweight and Obese Middle-Aged Women

BACKGROUND

The effect of globally recommended levels of physical activity on cognition and motor behavior is not completely understood. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the effect of 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive and motor performance among overweight and obese working-age women.

METHODS

Overweight and obese participants aged 38-56 years were randomized to either a control or an experimental group performing aerobic exercise at 50% to 60% of the peak oxygen consumption for a 2-month period. Changes in aerobic fitness, cardiac autonomic function, brain-derived neurotropic factor levels, and cognitive and motor performance were assessed.

RESULTS

Although aerobic exercise reduced body weight (P < .05) and improved peak oxygen consumption (P < .05), the brain-derived neurotropic factor levels and cognitive and motor performance remained unchanged. Heart rate and blood pressure decreased (P < .05), whereas heart rate variability indices were not affected. No significant correlations between changes in heart rate variability indices and cognition were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Two months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise decreased sympathetic activity and improved cardiovascular fitness but had no impact on cognition or motor control among these middle-aged, overweight, and obese women.

Cognitive Impact of Calorie Restriction: A Narrative Review

The impairment of cognitive function can cause substantial emotional and financial burdens. A recent global increasing trend in cognitive impairment and associated disorders has been observed, which will continue to grow as the population ages rapidly. As a nonpharmaceutical approach, calorie restriction (CR) has received extensive research interests due to its health benefits, including maintaining cognitive function. In this narrative review, we first briefly introduce the role of cognitive function in activities of daily living and CR as a part of healthy lifestyle behaviors to protect against cognitive decline. Second, we present results from human studies demonstrating that CR might be beneficial for improving age-related cognitive decline and cognitive impairment in the clinical population such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Third, the potential mechanisms regarding the protective effects of CR on cognition are discussed. Fourth, specific suggestions are highlighted to be considered in future human studies. Overall, although there are few data available from human studies, CR appears to be beneficial for cognitive protection for both healthy and clinical populations. Further scientific investigations are needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

Signaling pathways of dietary energy restriction and metabolism on brain physiology and in age-related neurodegenerative diseases

Several laboratory animal models have shown that dietary energy restriction (ER) can promote longevity and improve various health aspects in old age. However, whether the entire spectrum of ER-induced short- and long-term physiological and metabolic adaptions is translatable to humans remains to be determined. In this review article, we present recent evidence towards the elucidation of the impact of ER on brain physiology and in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss modulatory influences of ER on metabolism and overall on human health, limitations of current experimental designs as well as future perspectives for ER trials in humans. Finally, we summarize signaling pathways and processes known to be affected by both aging and ER with a special emphasis on the link between ER and cellular proteostasis.

Forty-eight-hour fasting declines mental flexibility but improves balance in overweight and obese older women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 48-h fast on evoked stress, mood, and cognitive and motor functions in overweight and obese older women. Eleven women (body mass index >25 kg/m²) aged 63-80 years were tested under two randomly allocated conditions: 48-h zero-calorie diet with water provided ad libitum and 48-h usual diet. Autonomic function, cortisol levels, mood state, cognitive performance, visuomotor coordination, motor speed, and balance were evaluated before and after each diet. Fasting increased (P < 0.05) cortisol levels, whereas no changes were observed in heart rate and its variability. Fasting increased (P < 0.05) fatigue, prolonged (P < 0.05) reaction time in the two-choice reaction time test and decreased (P < 0.05) the velocity vector of the center of pressure with eyes closed, whereas no changes in performance were observed in the pursuit tracking and finger tapping tests. Thus, although a 48-h fast resulted in greater hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in overweight and obese older women, autonomic nervous system activity was not affected. Fasting increased fatigue and decreased mental flexibility, but improved balance.

A 10-week yoga practice has no effect on cognition, but improves balance and motor learning by attenuating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in older adults

Despite studies investigating the effect of yoga on cognitive and motor functioning in older adults, the effect on dual-task performance and motor learning and the specific mechanisms underlying the positive effect of yoga remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga on cognition, balance under single- and dual-task conditions, and motor learning. The potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in induced improvement was also explored. Participants aged 60-79 years were randomized to either a control group (n = 15) or a yoga group (n = 18) for a 10-week period. The yoga group received 90-min duration yoga classes two times per week. Changes in cognition, balance under single- and dual-task conditions, and learning fast and accurate reaching movements were assessed. Yoga practice decreased (P < 0.05) the velocity vector of the center of pressure under single- and dual-task conditions, whereas no changes in cognitive performance were observed. Although reaction and movement times during learning were decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), a faster reaction time (P < 0.05) and shorter movement time (P < 0.05) were observed in the yoga group than in the control group. Significant moderate relationships (P < 0.05) between changes in BDNF levels and functional improvements were observed. Thus, 10 weeks of yoga practice resulted in improved balance and learning in the speed-accuracy motor task that were mediated by increased BDNF levels, but had no impact on cognition in older adults.

Efficacy of a Short-Term Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight and Obese Patients with Chronic Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: Chronic sciatica is a common condition. According to Traditional Persian Medicine and recent studies, calorie reduction is thought to be helpful for this condition. The purpose of this work is to evaluate a short-term low-calorie diet (LCD) for ameliorating chronic sciatica in the context of pain relief and reduced disability for patients. Design: In this randomized controlled trial, 96 candidates for the nonsurgical treatment of chronic sciatica were randomly assigned to two groups to receive a 1-month LCD (intervention) or ordinary diet (control), both in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Afterward, patients were visited at baseline and on days 15, 30, and 60 after treatment. Pain and disability were evaluated using the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SFMPQ) and the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), respectively. Results: Both mean RMDQ scores and SFMPQ scores decreased significantly in the LCD group compared to the control group. SFMPQ descriptor scale scores at baseline and on days 15, 30, and 60 in the LCD group were 7.71 ± 1.69, 6.63 ± 1.61, 5.54 ± 1.87, and 4.96 ± 2.02, respectively, and in the control group were 6.63 ± 1.44, 6.69 ± 1.32, 6.64 ± 1.98, and 6.62 ± 2.53, respectively (p = 0.001). RMDQ scores at baseline and on days 15, 30, and 60 in LCD group were 11.17 ± 3.90, 8.60 ± 1.97, 7.50 ± 2.71, and 6.77 ± 3.06, respectively, and in the control group, 10.00 ± 2.20, 9.98 ± 2.29, 9.94 ± 2.94, and 9.85 ± 3.32, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A short-term (1-month) LCD is effective in decreasing pain and disability in candidates for nonsurgical treatment of chronic sciatica.

New Zealand Bitter Hops Extract Reduces Hunger During a 24 h Water Only Fast

Intermittent fasting improves metabolic and cardiac health. However, increased hunger towards the end of the fasting period may affect compliance and limit its application. Our aim was to determine the effect of anorexigenic agent co-therapy on subjective ratings of appetite during the 16–24 h period of a day-long water-only intermittent fast. Thirty adult men were recruited and required to fast for 24 h from 18:00 h to 18:00 h on the same day of the week for three subsequent weeks. Treatments of either a placebo or one of two doses (high dose; HD: 250 mg or low dose; LD: 100 mg) of a bitter hops-based appetite suppressant (Amarasate®) were given twice per day at 16 and 20 h into the fast. From 18–24 h of the 24 h fast, both the HD and LD treatment groups exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) > 10% reduction in hunger. Additionally, the expected lunchtime increase in hunger that was present in the placebo group (12:00 h) was absent in both the HD and LD groups. These data suggest that appetite suppressant co-therapy may be useful in reducing hunger during intermittent fasting, and show that bitter compounds may regulate appetite independently of meal timing.

Prognostic Value of Ultrasound Stratigraphy in Long-Term Weight Loss: Results from a Nutritional Counseling Program

BACKGROUND

Weight control through lifestyle interventions represents a suitable strategy to avoid the metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity. Reduced testosterone (T) levels are a worsening factor in overweight males. However, prognostic parameters of long-term weight loss are not readily available. Here, we tested the prognostic value of early variations of anthropometric and hormonal parameters, with a focus on ultrasound stratigraphy (US) and the reduction in body mass index (BMI) associated with nutritional counseling/lifestyle interventions at 6-month follow-up.

METHODS

Ninety-five male subjects (BMI 25-34.9 kg/m2) who had undergone nutritional/lifestyle interventions, were retrospectively analyzed for: body weight and composition; US evaluation at the triceps (TRC), abdominal (ABD), and thigh (THI) areas; and circulating levels of T, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Sixty patients (63.2%) completed the 6-month follow-up program.

RESULTS

At 6 months, a significant reduction in BMI (26.38 ± 1.55 vs. 31.5 ± 5.0 basal, p < 0.001) and increase in T levels (18 ± 5.4 vs. 9.5 ± 2.3 nmol/L basal, p = 0.04) were observed. Subjects in the highest quartile of the BMI reduction at 6 months (ΔBMI 6 mo), compared to the lowest, showed a significant difference at the 2-month follow-up variation of BMI (p = 0.025), and fat and muscle thickness at the TRC (both p < 0.001) and ABD (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) areas. Variation of TRC muscle thickness at 2 months was the only independent predictor of ΔBMI 6 mo in the multiple stepwise regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI evaluation and US represent useful monitoring tools in the follow-up of nutritional/lifestyle interventions for overweight-to-mildly obese patients. The important effects on motivation and adherence to the intervention program are to be considered.