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This process isn’t just about calorie deficit; it involves complex biochemical shifts. Fasting increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a neurochemical that protects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It promotes autophagy, the body’s housekeeping process that clears out damaged cells, proteins, and potentially cancerous tissues.
Mirroring Fitness and Exercise Benefits
Interestingly, fasting and exercise produce similar benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, reduced visceral fat, and increased anti-inflammatory markers. Both interventions undo the damage caused by dietary excess, primarily through reducing visceral fat—an active, hypertrophic fat depot that acts like a tumor in its inflammatory activity.