Intermittent fasting could make immune cells more effective in fighting pathogens and cancers
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Intermittent fasting is gaining popularity as a method for weight loss. By depriving the body of glucose, it forces the breakdown of fat to produce ketones, an alternative fuel source. Recent research suggests that intermittent fasting may also boost immunity and combat disease. In mice, immune cells were found to be more effective against infections and cancer when using ketones as their energy source.
It was previously believed that cells preferred glucose as their primary energy source. However, a study conducted by Russell Jones at the Van Andel Institute and his colleagues showed that certain immune cells known as T cells do not produce much energy using glucose.
In their research, Jones and his team analyzed data from three studies that genetically analyzed T cells’ response to infections and tumors. They found that effective T cells had increased activity in genes involved in breaking down ketones. This indicated that these cells derived energy from ketones while fighting diseases.
To further investigate, the researchers genetically engineered mice that could not break down ketones and compared their response to an infection with mice that could. They discovered that the normal mice had 50% more T cells producing substances that kill off pathogens, called cytokines, and these cells produced more cytokines per T cell as well. In other words, the ability to break down ketones made T cells more effective at fighting off infections. Similar results were observed when injecting cancerous cells into the mice.
These findings suggest that immune cells are more efficient at fighting disease when using ketones as fuel, rather than glucose. Previous research has also shown that fasting for 12 or more hours daily improves immune function in mice.
This research could help us understand how dietary interventions that boost ketone production, like intermittent fasting, may affect our ability to fight infections and cancer. However, it is important to note that not all ketone-producing diets have the same effects. For example, the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may impair immunity as high levels of fat can suppress immune cells.
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