Nutritional timing and stress biology: intermittent fasting as a hormetic signal for adaptation.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing preclinical and clinical mechanism-based literature without systematic methodology.
PubMed 42180573 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2026.1778896
What was done
This narrative review synthesized preclinical and clinical research investigating intermittent fasting (IF) and time-restricted eating (TRE) as mild, adaptive stressors (hormesis). It examined underlying mechanisms including nutrient-sensing pathways (AMPK, sirtuins, TOR, insulin signaling), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and inflammatory and redox homeostasis in relation to stress biology and mental health.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative metrics or numerical data. It notes that IF and TRE modulate cellular nutrient-sensing and neuroendocrine pathways, but emphasizes that existing literature on stress biology and mental health presents heterogeneous and sometimes contradictory results depending on fasting protocols, study designs, and experimental models.
Why it matters
It outlines a biological framework for how meal timing and fasting regimens may act as hormetic signals affecting neuroendocrine stress systems. It highlights the importance of balancing potential benefits against risks when applying fasting protocols for stress resilience.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks systematic search methodology, risk-of-bias assessment, or pooled quantitative analyses. The underlying literature cited spans disparate animal models and human cohorts with conflicting outcomes, preventing definitive clinical recommendations.
Cited by
- supports Low-level, hormetic stress provides positive physiological benefits, including improved regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure.