Högskolan i Skövde

Poor dietary habits can impact longevity and life expectancy by contributing to the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These NCDs account for 44% of global mortality annually, with ischemic heart disease alone responsible for 16% of deaths. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which includes obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, plays a major role in increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly dietary habits, are crucial in managing MetS and NCDs. A healthy diet rich in seafood and high-quality carbohydrates can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote longevity. Intermittent fasting has also shown promise in reducing MetS risk and improving health. Studies indicate that certain gene expressions, such as FOXO3 and CISD2, are associated with healthy aging. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an intermittent fasting and seafood-rich diet on longevity and health markers. Over four weeks, ten participants were evaluated for changes in blood parameters, gene expressions, physiological parameters, and amino acid profiling. The results showed no significant differences for the diet intervention. However, trends were observed in the participant who practiced 20-hour daily intermittent fasting with 100 percent seafood as a source of protein, including reductions in weight, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels, along with increased blood ketones, vitamin D, and B12. These findings highlight the potential benefits of the study and pave the way for future research with larger sample sizes, more significant dietary modifications, and extended intervention durations, to better understand the effect of diets on reducing chronic diseases and promoting longevity.