Beijing: Europe and the Arab World

A scientific study conducted in China has shown that intermittent energy restriction (a diet based on periodically reducing calorie intake) for weight loss leads to interconnected changes in brain activity, gut function, and the composition of the microbiome (the community of beneficial bacteria within the body), shedding light on the complex biological mechanisms that accompany weight loss.

According to the European news network Euronews in Brussels, researchers concluded that this dietary pattern not only affects weight but also causes dynamic and synchronized adjustments through what is known as the brain-gut-microbiome axis (a two-way communication system between the nervous system, the digestive system, and gut bacteria), an axis that plays a key role in regulating appetite and eating behavior.

Intermittent Fasting in the Face of Obesity

These findings come amidst rising obesity rates globally, with more than one billion people suffering from this condition, which is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Many people struggle to maintain weight loss in the long term because the body's internal systems, including hormones, the brain, and the digestive system, resist the change.

The study was based on the Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER) model, a system that alternates between days of relative fasting (significant calorie reduction) and days of normal eating.

Study Methodology and Dietary Program: The study included 25 obese men and women with an average age of 27 years and a body mass index (BMI) between 28 and 45.

Participants underwent a two-phase intermittent fasting program. The first phase was a highly controlled fasting period (a strict dietary plan supervised by a registered dietitian) lasting 32 days, with a gradual reduction of calories to one-quarter of daily requirements. This was followed by a low-controlled fasting period (less restrictive dietary guidelines) lasting 30 days. Researchers analyzed stool samples using comprehensive genomics (advanced techniques for analyzing bacterial genetic material), along with blood tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (an imaging technique that measures brain activity), to monitor changes in the gut microbiome, brain activity, and physiological markers.

Health Outcomes and Neurological Changes
By the end of the study, participants experienced an average weight loss of 7.6 kilograms, equivalent to a 7.8 percent reduction in body weight, in addition to a decrease in body fat and waist circumference.

A decrease in blood pressure, glucose (blood sugar), and cholesterol (blood fat) levels was also observed, along with improvements in liver function indicators, suggesting that intermittent fasting may contribute to alleviating obesity-related diseases.

In the brain, researchers observed a decrease in activity in regions associated with appetite regulation and compulsive eating, alongside notable changes in the gut microbiota composition, including an increase in certain beneficial strains and a decrease in other bacteria linked to metabolic disorders. The Brain-Gut Axis Under the Microscope

The study authors explained that the results indicate a strong correlation between changes in the brain and gut microbiome during and after weight loss. However, they emphasized that the correlational nature of the study (which observes a relationship without proving causation) does not allow for a definitive determination of the direction of causation.

The researchers stressed the need for future studies to identify the precise mechanisms that regulate communication between the brain and gut microbiome, and to pinpoint the critical factors for achieving sustainable weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.