Beneficial gut microbiome remodeled during intermittent fasting in humans.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is the practice of restricting food intake for 12 to 48 hours per fasting cycle over a prolonged period of time. Previous work shows beneficial health effects such as weight loss and lower risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Although reduced calorie intake may account for some of the observed benefits of intermittent fasting, exact mechanisms are still unclear. Recent evidence indicates that intermittent fasting may lead to remodeling and increased taxonomic diversity in the human gut microbiome. In particular, the Lachnospiraceae family of anaerobic bacteria increased during fasting. This family, in the order Clostridiales, promotes butryogenesis in the gut, a process that is associated with healthful metabolic and prolongevity effects. IF-associated alterations to the microbiome may play a key role in the metabolic and potential healthspan-enhancing benefits of IF and dietary restriction.