“Today we absolutely eat too much, we eat excessively. We are affected by obesity, diabetes, chronic food-related pathologies. And it's fine for everyone to reduce their daily calorie intake.” The interest of scientific research in caloric restriction has also “grown over the years”. Epidemiologist Franco Berrino explains this to Adnkronos Salute, who has been studying the role of nutrition in human health and lifestyles associated with chronic diseases for years. Much research has been conducted on fasting and calorie restriction, he highlights.
The latest project was announced yesterday, coordinated by the National Cancer Institute (Int) of Milan, Breakfast 2: a 2-year study that will enroll around 150 women aged 18 to 75, involving 12 centers in the country, to evaluate the effects of calorie restriction – compared with a healthy and balanced, but not restrictive, diet – on patients who are candidates to receive pre-surgical chemo-immunotherapy treatment against triple-negative breast cancer.
The trial is the first of its kind and will allow us to clarify not only the impact of caloric restriction on cancer, compared to a different dietary pattern, but will also allow us to analyze how 'fasting-like' influences the outcomes of pharmacological treatments. “Even though I don't know the details – observes Berrino – I think it is important to finally explore these aspects”. The rationale of the studies investigating caloric restriction and the impact on tumors “is to reduce the availability of glucose – because tumor cells have an enormous need for glucose – to reduce the inflammatory state. Caloric restriction has these two effects: reduces blood sugar and inflammation.”
In general, continues Berrino, “for more than 100 years it has been known that by reducing the food we give to animals they live longer, get sick less from cancer and heart disease. The latest major studies conducted on this front have aimed to reduce the quantity of food administered to the animals is 20-25%. “What has been observed is that” these animal models “halve the risk of heart attack and cancer and eliminate the risk of diabetes.” What lessons can we draw from science? “I say: let's trust, let's eat a little less. And let's not eat 'junk' foods, but choose natural foods.” How can you apply the suggestions that come from science into your routine? “If I had to give practical advice, the line I would suggest is: abundant breakfast, right lunch and light dinner.”
When we talk generically about fasting, we are referring to different dietary patterns, as the Airc also explains on its website, delving into the topic of 'fasting and cancer'. The most solid scientific evidence – we read – concerns three forms of fasting: the 'fasting-mimicking' diet, which involves a low caloric intake (100-1,100 Kcal daily) and protein (9-11%), but high in fat (44-46%) for days 1-5 of the week; caloric restriction, which involves the daily reduction of energy intake (-20/-40%) obtained through a lower intake of all macronutrients (but not vitamins and mineral salts); intermittent fasting, which requires you to pay attention to when you eat, expanding the time window in which you do not introduce food into your body. Those that explore this approach, Berrino points out, “are studies on risk factors, not on mortality”.
In general, 'special' eating strategies require attention, and expert support. What can you do in everyday life? “As a good lifestyle habit, it is good to reduce your daily calorie intake, especially in the evening”, following one of the expert's favorite sayings: “Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper”.
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