Herzig uses insights from fasting metabolism to identify novel therapeutic targets for treating metabolic dysfunction. In an interview, Prof. Herzig explains why fasting can be useful, what happens when food intake and internal clock are not in alignment and which disease areas benefit from intermittent fasting.
When it comes to diabetes, intermittent fasting can help to lower blood sugar levels and also reduce the need for diabetes medication.
However, it should always be done in close consultation with the treating physicians, the scientist emphasizes.
Long-term studies are also still needed to evaluate the long-term benefits that go beyond one or two years of intermittent fasting.