Intermittent Fasting May Slow Hair Growth
Intermittent Fasting: Could It Be Slowing Down Hair Growth?
New research suggests a potential downside to the popular weight-loss trend.
Intermittent fasting,a dietary pattern that cycles between periods of eating and voluntary fasting,has gained immense popularity for its potential health benefits,including weight loss and reduced inflammation. however, a new study raises questions about its impact on hair growth.
Researchers at Westlake University in China found a link between intermittent fasting and slowed hair regeneration in mice. The study, published in the journal Cell, revealed that mice subjected to intermittent fasting experienced significantly slower hair regrowth compared to a control group with unrestricted access to food.
While mice with constant access to food regenerated most of their hair within 30 days, those on intermittent fasting schedules showed only partial regrowth even after 96 days.
The researchers attributed this phenomenon to the effects of fasting on hair follicle stem cells. These cells struggled to efficiently switch their metabolic processes from using glucose to burning fat during fasting periods, leading to programmed cell death.
“The hair follicle stem cells are notably sensitive to the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that occurs during fasting,” explained lead researcher Bing Zhang.
A preliminary clinical trial involving 49 young, healthy adults yielded similar results. Participants who followed an 18-hour daily fasting regimen exhibited slower hair regrowth compared to a control group. Though,due to the small sample size,further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
It’s significant to note that these findings don’t negate the established benefits of intermittent fasting. Zhang emphasizes the complexity of fasting’s effects on the body and the need for more in-depth research to fully understand its implications for health.
Interestingly, the study found that the outermost layer of skin cells was not similarly affected by fasting, possibly due to their higher antioxidant capacity.
The researchers demonstrated that the susceptibility of hair follicle stem cells to fasting’s effects could be reduced by enhancing their antioxidant capacity and through topical submission of vitamin E.This research highlights the importance of considering potential side effects when adopting any dietary intervention, even those with proven benefits. Further studies are crucial to determine the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on hair growth and to explore strategies for mitigating any potential negative impacts.
Could Intermittent Fasting Be Slowing Down Hair Growth?
New research suggests a potential downside to the popular weight-loss trend.
Intermittent fasting,a dietary pattern that cycles between periods of eating and voluntary fasting,has gained immense popularity for its potential health benefits,including weight loss and reduced inflammation. However, a new study raises questions about its impact on hair growth.
Researchers at Westlake University in China found a link between intermittent fasting and slowed hair regeneration in mice.The study,published in the journal Cell,revealed that mice subjected to intermittent fasting experienced substantially slower hair regrowth compared to a control group with unrestricted access to food.
While mice with constant access to food regenerated most of their hair within 30 days, those on intermittent fasting schedules showed only partial regrowth even after 96 days. The researchers attributed this phenomenon to the effects of fasting on hair follicle stem cells. These cells struggled to efficiently switch their metabolic processes from using glucose to burning fat during fasting periods,leading to programmed cell death.
“The hair follicle stem cells are notably sensitive to the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that occurs during fasting,” explained lead researcher Bing Zhang.
A preliminary clinical trial involving 49 young, healthy adults yielded similar results. Participants who followed an 18-hour daily fasting regimen exhibited slower hair regrowth compared to a control group.Though, due to the small sample size, further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
It’s significant to note that these findings don’t negate the established benefits of intermittent fasting. Zhang emphasizes the complexity of fasting’s effects on the body and the need for more in-depth research to fully understand its implications for health.
Interestingly, the study found that the outermost layer of skin cells was not similarly affected by fasting, possibly due to their higher antioxidant capacity.
The researchers demonstrated that the susceptibility of hair follicle stem cells to fasting’s effects could be reduced by enhancing their antioxidant capacity and through topical submission of vitamin E. This research highlights the importance of considering potential side effects when adopting any dietary intervention, even those with proven benefits. Further studies are crucial to determine the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on hair growth and to explore strategies for mitigating any potential negative impacts.