Intermittent fasting-dietary restriction as a geroprotector

Abstract

Old age is one of the major determinants of neurodegenerative diseases. There have been major advancements in understanding the biology of aging along with various interventions that may promote healthy aging. Many nutritional interventions such as caloric restriction, periodic fasting, and alternate day fasting have been proposed that may hamper age-associated cognitive decline. Among the various regimens, intermittent fasting-dietary restriction (IF-DR) seems to be most promising as it has been well documented to provide neuroprotection by enhancing synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. It is also known to prolong life span and delay the onset of age-associated disorders by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. IF-DR regimen is known to possibly work by establishing a conditioning response which maintains survival mode in organisms by focusing on energy conservation, thereby causing a metabolic shift from growth to maintenance activities and hence promoting anti-aging effects. IF-DR regimen is also known to improve many physiological indicators such as reduced levels of leptin, insulin, amount of body fat, reduced blood pressure, and increase in resistance to stress. Thus, IF-DR regimen initiated in middle or old age has the ability to impede age-associated neurodegeneration and cognitive decline and may be a potential intervention to abrogate age-related impairment of brain functions.