Remarkable findings about liver function related to fasting

Recent research conducted jointly by Israel and France has found that intermittent fasting activates key genes and liver-boosting factors, making the liver function more efficiently.

Alternate-day fasting (ADF) activates key genes and liver-boosting factors. (Photo: iStock).

A study published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research on December 10 found that periodic fasting can improve the liver's ability to produce energy from fat during subsequent fasting periods.

Research conducted by scientists from the Hebrew University of Israel and the University of Toulouse in France has found that alternate-day fasting (ADF) activates key genes and liver-promoting factors, making the liver more efficient at ketogenesis – producing ketone bodies from fat to provide energy when glucose in the body is low.

After just one week of ADF , the liver was able to produce more ketone bodies during subsequent fasts, suggesting that the liver has the ability to 'remember' previous fasts. Furthermore, research has shown that the health benefits of ADF, such as improved lipid metabolism, are related to ketogenesis rather than changes in calorie intake or body weight.

The findings open up new perspectives in better understanding the body's mechanisms when applied to fasting regimens, while emphasizing the importance of practicing periodic fasting in maintaining long-term health.