10^th International Tissue Repair and Regeneration Congress

Fasting May Regenerate Stem Cells in Humans Intestinal stem cells begin to lose their ability to regenerate according to age. These stem cells are the source for all new intestinal cells, so this decline can make it more difficult to recover from gastrointestinal infections or other conditions that affect the intestine. According to a new study, this age-related loss of stem cell function can be reversed by a 24-hour fast. The researchers found that fasting dramatically improves stem cells’ ability to regenerate, in both Young and aged mice. In fasting mice, cells begin breaking down fatty acids instead of glucose; this change stimulates the stem cells to become more regenerative. Such an intervention could potentially help older people recovering from GI infections or the cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Intestinal stem cells are responsible for maintaining the lining of the intestine, which typically renews itself in every five days. When an injury or any infection...