Longevity benefits from fasting depend not on the fasting period but on metabolic recalibration during refeeding, when the body transitions back to eating.
The protein NHR-49 activates during fasting to break down lipids for energy but must be deactivated during refeeding via phosphorylation by KIN-19 to extend lifespan.
Genetically modified worms lacking NHR-49 still lived 41% longer after fasting, suggesting refeeding mechanisms are independent of lipid metabolism.
Targeting the NHR-49/KIN-19 switch could mimic fasting’s longevity benefits, potentially eliminating the need for strict dietary restrictions.
Fasting triggers cellular repair, immune enhancement and DNA repair, reducing chronic disease risk—highlighting its role in preventive medicine and longevity.
Recent research led by scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center has uncovered groundbreaking insights into how fasting and calorie restriction contribute to longevity. Published in Nature Communications, the study suggests that the key to extended lifespan lies not in the fasting period itself, but in the metabolic changes that occur during refeeding—the phase when the body transitions back to eating after a fast. While the findings were derived from experiments on Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm commonly used in laboratory research, they hold promising implications for human health and aging.
Read Full Article: https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-04-15-study-reveals-fasting-and-calorie-restriction-extend-lifespan.html
