Efeitos do jejum intermitente sobre biomarcadores relacionados à longevidade: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF), especially in the 16:8 format, has garnered increasing interest as a nutritional strategy associated with improvements in metabolic parameters and the potential promotion of longevity. Recent evidence suggests positive effects of IF on biomarkers such as insulin, blood glucose, and growth factors. This study consists of an integrative literature review conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane Library databases, with search terms in English: “intermittent fasting,” “intermittent fasting AND biomarkers,” “intermittent fasting AND longevity,” and “intermittent fasting 16 08.” The search strategy employed controlled descriptors from the MeSH and DeCS vocabularies, combined with Boolean operators to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness in retrieving relevant studies. Clinical trials involving humans, published between 2016 and 2025 in Portuguese or English, were considered. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected. The analysis showed that the 16:8 protocol improved insulin sensitivity (with reductions in HOMA-IR and fasting insulin), hemoglobin A1c, and blood glucose levels, in addition to beneficial changes in body composition. Some studies also reported reductions in IGF-1 and leptin, hormones associated with cellular aging. Even without significant weight loss, the metabolic effects were consistent. Therefore, it is possible to infer that intermittent fasting in the 16:8 format shows potential as a strategy to promote metabolic health and possibly extend healthspan. However, further long-term clinical trials with objective outcomes are needed to consolidate its implications for human longevity.