Intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a popular dietary strategy, attracting increasing interest from both researchers and the general public. This Research Topic of Frontiers in Nutrition aims to explore the multifaceted mechanisms underlying IF, its effects on metabolic health and longevity, and its potential therapeutic applications for a range of conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

In addition to mechanistic insights, this Research Topic will also focus on the real-world applications of intermittent fasting, addressing key aspects such as long-term adherence, sustainability, and challenges encountered in different cultural and clinical contexts.

We invite scientists and healthcare professionals to contribute research that advances our understanding of intermittent fasting protocols and offers insights into their potential role in preventive healthcare and chronic disease management.

This Research Topic aims to publish original research with in vitro and/or in vivo experiments, review articles, and opinions that address the repercussions of intermittent fasting on the modulation of health, disease, immunity, and stress along the life cycle.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, preclinical and clinical studies that examine the biological processes involved in IF, such as autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin sensitivity. Submissions investigating the impact of various fasting regimens on aging, gut microbiota, and the molecular pathways associated with healthspan and lifespan extension—whether in preclinical or clinical research—are particularly encouraged.

• Effects of intermittent fasting at different life stages.
• Impacts of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction protocols on immunomodulation, stress, and metabolism.
• In vitro and in vivo studies exploring the role of intermittent fasting in health and disease, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
• Mechanisms of action, benefits, and potential harms of intermittent fasting.
• Neuroprotective effects of intermittent fasting: implications for cognitive aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Chrononutrition and the timing of intermittent fasting: influence on metabolic health.
• Comparative studies of intermittent fasting versus continuous caloric restriction.
• Personalized approaches to intermittent fasting: genetic, epigenetic, and microbiome considerations.
• Safety, adherence, and long-term effects of intermittent fasting in different populations.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Rethinking Nutrition Timing: Advances in Intermittent Fasting Research