A recent study showed that intermittent fasting is not suitable for children, as it may have lasting negative effects on metabolism, The study found that continuous intermittent fasting impairs the growth of beta cells responsible for producing insulin in young mice.
Researchers compared the mice’s results with human tissue data and discovered that patients with type 1 diabetes showed similar signs of impaired cell maturation.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which immune cells mistakenly attack and destroy beta cells,The study’s findings raise concerns about the potential risks of intermittent fasting on adolescent health.
The research was conducted by scientists from the Technical University of Munich, the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Germany, The results were published in Cell Reports on January 18 and reported by EurekAlert.
Mice and Intermittent Fasting
The researchers studied three groups of mice: young mice aged 2 months, adult mice aged 8 months, and older mice aged 24 months, The mice were deprived of food for one day, then provided with food normally for the next two days, following a 1:2 pattern (24 hours fasting, 48 hours eating), with water available at all times.
After 10 weeks, both the young and adult mice showed improved insulin sensitivity, indicating a better metabolic response to insulin released by the pancreas, This is vital for regulating blood sugar levels and lowering the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, However, the young mice experienced a concerning decline in beta cell function, raising fears about the link between insufficient insulin production, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.
The Shadow of Type 1 Diabetes
The team found that beta cells in young mice did not mature properly, Peter Weber, a co-author of the study from the Helmholtz Center in Munich, explained: “At a certain stage, the beta cells of the young mice stopped developing and began producing less insulin” Older mice, however, were unaffected, as their beta cells had already matured before the fasting period began.
Stephan Herzig, professor at the Technical University of Munich and director of the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich, stated: “Our study confirms that intermittent fasting is beneficial for adults but may carry risks for children and adolescents.
The next step is to explore the molecular mechanisms behind these findings, if we can better understand how to promote healthy beta cell growth, it could open new opportunities to treat diabetes by increasing insulin production.”
Experts’ Warnings for Families
Pediatric nutrition specialists emphasize that modern fasting diets like intermittent fasting are not appropriate for young children, as they need multiple balanced meals each day to receive essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and key vitamins.
They warn that depriving the body of food during this critical growth stage may cause long-term physical and cognitive developmental issues.
Endocrinology experts also stressed that these findings should serve as a wake-up call for families who impose strict diets on their children in hopes of weight loss or due to trending diet fads on social media
. They confirm that what works for adults is not necessarily safe for children, and any dietary changes for teenagers should be supervised by medical specialists who consider their physiological needs.