SciFocus/Dec 14, 2024 — Intermittent fasting (IF), a globally popular diet regimen known for its metabolic health benefits, has been found to inhibit hair follicle regeneration and slow hair growth, according to a recent study published in Cell. The research reveals that IF disrupts hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) activity through interorgan communication, offering a new perspective on its unintended effects on tissue biology.
“Our findings demonstrate how intermittent fasting affects somatic stem cells, specifically hair follicle stem cells, by disrupting their regenerative activities during periods of unstable nutrient supply.”
Key Highlights
- Impact on Hair Follicles in Mice
- Common intermittent fasting regimens led to the selective apoptosis of activated HFSCs, halting hair follicle regeneration.
- Effects are independent of calorie reduction, circadian rhythm changes, or mTORC1 nutrient-sensing pathways.
- Mechanism of Action
- Fasting activated crosstalk between the adrenal glands and dermal adipocytes, releasing free fatty acids into the HFSC niche.
- Increased oxidative damage in HFSCs caused their apoptosis, halting hair growth.
- Clinical Findings in Humans
- A randomized clinical trial (NCT05800730) confirmed that intermittent fasting also inhibits human hair growth.
- The impact was less pronounced in humans than in mice due to differences in metabolism and hair follicle biology.
- Broader Implications
- The study highlights the dual nature of intermittent fasting, emphasizing the need for a balanced evaluation of its benefits and potential side effects.
- Researchers suggest further investigation to optimize fasting regimens while mitigating unintended impacts on stem cell systems.
Study Limitations
- The long-term effects of fasting on human hair growth and shaft density were not evaluated.
- The clinical trial focused solely on healthy young adults, excluding individuals with obesity.
- Specific mechanisms, such as fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in early anagen human hair follicles, remain untested.
Looking Ahead
This research underscores the importance of understanding the systemic effects of popular dietary interventions like intermittent fasting. Further exploration into mitigating adverse effects on stem cell biology could unlock its full potential while safeguarding tissue health.
Source: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)01311-4
Stay tuned for updates on cutting-edge research with SciFocus News.
#HealthScience #IntermittentFasting #StemCellResearch
