A simple dietary change has been the secret to slowing down ageing and feeling more youthful, according to GP Dr Sabine Donnai.
She revealed that intermittent fasting, a practice where individuals abstain from eating for extended periods, has significantly improved her health and happiness.
Alongside a protein-rich diet, she believes this method can slow the ageing process and offer other health benefits.
Speaking to the i, Dr Sabine explained: “I fast overnight, every night, for around 14 to 15 hours starting at 7 or 8pm and ending the next day at 11am. Our research [at Viavi] has shown that this length of fast – from around 14 hours to no more than 16 hours a day – is one of the most effective factors we can change to influence the pace of ageing.”
She also emphasised the importance of variety in her diet, aiming to consume 100 different foods each week to nourish her gut bacteria.
Since beginning her fasting regimen, Dr Sabine noted a decrease in her ageing speed from 0.9 to 0.78, with an ambition to further reduce it to 0.5. Other health experts, including ZOE founder Professor Tim Spector, have also endorsed the benefits of fasting, albeit for slightly shorter durations.
As reported by GloucestershireLive, he suggested: “It looks like the sweet spot for when the results start turning significant is around at this 10-hour eating window. So, if you can get to 10 hours, that’s fine,” reports Surrey Live.
“There’s some evidence that maybe 11, you know, could be ok. And there’s probably differences between people. So, we’re talking averages here, which might vary at different ages and between men and women. We don’t really know yet those differences. So, at the moment, I think it’s do something that’s sustainable.”
While Professor Tim is a proponent of intermittent fasting, he cautions against starting it during the weekend when one is less busy. He believes that the busier someone is, the less they are likely to think about food.
He shared: “I’ve always found, when I did more extended fasts, the busier I was, the easier it is. Absolutely. So I would never suggest to anyone to start at a weekend. Because that’s the worst time. You’re staying busy.”
Gin Stephens, an author and fellow intermittent faster, suggested another technique that complements intermittent fasting – having a set eating window. She explained that this varies for everyone and depends on their goals.
She said: “I think really the key is what are someone’s goals? You are not attempting to lose weight. You do not need to lose weight. It would not be good for you to lose weight. But if someone had a great deal of fat to lose, they have to give their body time to burn more fat. So that’s when you might find shorter eating window.”