Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, a critical care medicine and pulmonary specialist, took to TikTok to share an important aspect of the relationship between diet, health, and chronic diseases. She discussed the process of autophagy, which occurs during fasting and involves the body’s cleansing and regeneration at a cellular level. This process, according to Dr. Chandrasekaran, has been linked to reducing the risks of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic conditions.
Additionally, she pointed to a 2024 study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, which found that prolonged intermittent fasting could lower the rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes – all of which are significant risk factors for cancer. Furthermore, Dr. Chandrasekaran highlighted the potential of intermittent fasting to reverse brain aging by 2.6 years, based on recent research published in Nature Communications.
According to her insights, the combination of intermittent fasting and a balanced diet not only improves cognitive function and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia but also enhances insulin resistance and lowers the risk of diabetes.