Can Intermittent Fasting Help with Alzheimer's Disease?

Intermittent fasting—an age-old practice highlighted in How to Eat to Live by the Hon. Elijah Muhammad—may do more than support weight control and energy. New UC San Diego research suggests fasting can improve memory, reduce harmful brain plaques, and restore circadian rhythm balance in Alzheimer’s disease. By lowering inflammation and stress in brain cells, fasting could slow cognitive decline. Though more human trials are needed, this simple, natural habit shows promise as a non-invasive way to protect brain health and fight Alzheimer’s.

Fasting is an ancient practice as old as humanity that involves abstaining from food for certain periods of time. Fasting has been observed by various religions, cultures and those seeking to maintain good health. Improved mood, mental clarity, increased energy, weight loss and weight maintenance are just some of the benefits reported by those that have made intermittent fasting a lifestyle. Intermittent means occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.

One Meal a Day (OMAD), One Meal Every Other Day (Alternate-Day Fasting) and a monthly fast of 2 to 3 days are all forms of intermittent fasting that were introduced by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in his 1967 book How to Eat to Live as a method for improving health and preventing or combating various health concerns, especially life-style diseases.

Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain believed to result from age related changes to the brain, as well as genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Black Americans and Hispanics have been affected by the disease at higher rates than other races. About 1 out of 5 women are at risk of being affected by Alzheimer’s /Dementia compared to 1 out of 10 men. Around 7 million Americans are affected and nearly 55 million people worldwide.

Recent research from UC San Diego suggests that intermittent fasting could help improve Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. This type of eating pattern limits food intake to specific hours and has shown promise in reducing harmful changes in the brain, especially in animal studies.

In mice with Alzheimer’s, time-restricted feeding (intermittent fasting) improved memory and reduced amyloid plaques—sticky protein build ups that damage brain cells. This finding is exciting because amyloid plaques are a hallmark of the disease, and reducing them could slow its progression.

The study also found that fasting restored balance to circadian rhythms, the body’s internal clock that governs sleep and other daily activities. Many Alzheimer’s patients suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms, which worsen symptoms like confusion and restlessness.

One reason fasting helps may be its effect on metabolism. It appears to reduce inflammation and stress in brain cells, creating a healthier environment for neurons to function. This could improve communication between brain cells, enhancing memory and learning.

The researchers believe that lifestyle changes, such as intermittent fasting, could complement current treatments for Alzheimer’s. While medications target specific symptoms, dietary interventions might work on the underlying causes of the disease.

What’s unique about intermittent fasting is its simplicity. Unlike drugs, it doesn’t require a prescription, insurance approvals, or cause side effects. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before trying this approach, especially for older adults or those with medical conditions.

The next step is testing this method in humans. While results in mice are promising, clinical trials will confirm if fasting has similar benefits in people. Researchers hope to explore how factors like age, diet, and genetics affect its effectiveness.

This research highlights the potential of natural, non-invasive interventions to fight Alzheimer’s. Changes in what, how and when we eat can have a big impact on our overall health.

For now, the study encourages us to rethink how daily habits impact long-term well-being. Intermittent fasting is more than a trendy diet—it could be a tool to unlock better brain health. Learn more about the study here