Intermittent fasting has proven benefits for metabolic health, but a new study shows that it could slow hair growth -- at least in mice. Researchers report that mice subjected to intermittent fasting regimes showed improved metabolic health but slower hair regeneration compared to mice with 24/7 access to food.
A similar process might occur in humans, based on a small clinical trial that the team also conducted, but it's likely to be less severe since humans have a much slower metabolic rate and different hair growth patterns compared to mice.
In addition to its metabolic benefits, previous studies have shown that fasting can improve the stress resistance of stem cells associated with blood, intestinal, and muscle tissue, but little is known about how it impacts peripheral tissues such as skin and hair. Zhang's team hypothesized that fasting might also be beneficial for skin tissue regeneration, the process by which old and damaged cells are replaced.
The team showed that this inhibited hair growth occurs because hair follicle stem cells are unable to cope with the oxidative stress associated with switching from using glucose to fat. HFSCs go through phases of activity and dormancy, and hair regrowth depends on these cells becoming active.
The team also conducted a small clinical trial with 49 healthy young adults to examine whether fasting similarly affects hair regrowth in humans. They showed that a time-restricted diet involving 18 hours of fasting per day reduced the average speed of hair growth by 18% compared to controls, but larger studies would be needed to verify this effect given the study's small sample size and short duration .
"We plan to examine how this process affects the regeneration activities in other tissues," says Zhang."We also want to figure out how fasting impacts skin wound healing and identify metabolites that could help the survival of HFSCs and promote hair growth during fasting."
Stem Cells Cosmetics Human Biology Mice Biotechnology And Bioengineering Biotechnology Molecular Biology
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers - November 24, 2024In first meeting since '24 NFC Divisional Playoffs (won 24-21), 49ers travel to face Packers
Read more »
Bill Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson supports coach at UNC introductionBill Belichick’s biggest supporter wouldn’t miss his UNC introduction.
Read more »
Browns win over Steelers gives Kevin Stefanski a rare 2024 notch on his resume — Jimmy WatkinsThe Browns beat the Steelers 24-19 on Thursday night.
Read more »
Basketball Fans React To Cooper Flagg's Performance In Duke-Arizona GamePotential NBA first-overall pick Cooper Flagg scored 24 points against Arizona.
Read more »
Weekly Horoscope Readings for Every Zodiac Sign: Nov 24–30Each week, the Cut’s astrology expert, Claire Comstock-Gay (aka Madame Clairevoyant) reads the weekly horoscope for every zodiac sign.
Read more »
Colorado State uses fast start to beat Wyoming 24-10, remain unbeaten in Mountain WestAvery Morrow had a touchdown run in the first quarter, wide receiver Dane Olson followed with a touchdown pass to quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, and Colorado State used a fast start to remain unbeaten in the Mountain West Conference with a 24-10 victory over Wyoming.
Read more »