UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s dietary habits come under scrutiny
Author: Giulia Masoero Regis
Date: 03 May 2023
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has recently made headlines for his dietary practice of intermittent fasting, where he observes a pattern of abstaining from food for 36 hours a week. This has sparked a conversation about the benefits and risks of fasting, and a new study by a group of British and US scientists may shed some light on the matter.
The study, published in ‘Cell Reports’, explores the potential protective effects of fasting, particularly in reducing inflammation. The researchers found that fasting led to increased levels of a chemical in the blood known as arachidonic acid, which inhibits inflammation and may help explain the beneficial effects of drugs like aspirin.
Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The researchers studied the effects of fasting on 21 volunteers and found that limiting calorie intake increased levels of arachidonic acid, which in turn reduced the activity of the inflammasome, a mechanism that triggers inflammation.
Lead researcher Clare Bryant, from the University of Cambridge, explains that the study suggests fasting could protect against chronic inflammation, which is associated with various high-calorie diseases prevalent in the Western world. While the study doesn’t prove a direct link to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it does add to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of calorie restriction.
The findings also offer insight into how a high-calorie diet might increase the risk of these diseases, with increased levels of inflammasome activity. The researchers suggest that arachidonic acid may be a key factor in this process and could also provide clues to the mechanisms of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin.
Overall, the study provides valuable information on the potential benefits of intermittent fasting and the role of arachidonic acid in reducing chronic inflammation. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play, the findings offer promising insights into the role of fasting in promoting overall health and well-being.