Intermittent fasting may increase the risk of developing heart disease or cancer, a study suggests.
In a study on mice, Mount Sinai researchers found skipping breakfast caused white blood cell count to fall by up to 90 percent. These cells help fight disease, control inflammation and eliminate damaged cells from the body.
Dr Filip Swirski, an immunologist at the New York City hospital who led the study, said: ‘Because [immune cells] are so important to other diseases like heart disease or cancer, understanding how their function is controlled is critical.’
Researchers also said the study is among the first to show that skipping meals triggers a stress response in the brain that negatively affects immune cells.
While some studies have claimed that intermittent fasting may be linked to longevity, recent research has suggested it may have the opposite effect.
Fasting diets favored by celebrities may raise your risk of heart disease and cancer, a study has suggested (stock pic)
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