Repeated fast-refeeding cycles can have potential long-term health implications, especially in terms of increasing the risk of tumorigenesis. The study highlights that post-fast refeeding leads to a burst in stem-cell-driven regeneration and tumorigenicity, particularly in the intestines. This heightened regenerative capacity of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) post-refeeding can potentially lead to an increased incidence of tumors in the small intestine and colon, especially when combined with the loss of the tumor suppressor gene Apc. Therefore, a key concern is the balance between promoting regeneration and inadvertently increasing cancer risk through these cycles.
To mitigate these potential health implications, careful consideration and testing of fast-refeeding cycles are essential when planning diet-based strategies for regeneration. One approach could involve monitoring the frequency and duration of fast-refeeding cycles to prevent excessive stimulation of ISCs and tumorigenesis. Additionally, targeting specific molecular pathways involved in the regenerative and tumorigenic effects of post-fast refeeding, such as mTORC1 signaling and polyamine metabolism, could offer potential therapeutic interventions to modulate these processes and reduce the associated health risks.