July 9, 2010 by Isagenix Nutritional Sciences

A new report reviews how fasting affects fat and cholesterol, which also may apply to Cleanse Days.
Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that fasting causes an enzyme (SIRT1) to shut down production of fat and cholesterol, which could open up the scientific field to studying new approaches for lowering weight and improving lipid profiles.

Fasting has been previously known to suppress proteins called SREBPs, which are responsible for controlling fat synthesis and storage, but the mechanism was not well understood.  The researchers reported that after a series of experiments in worms, fruitflies and mice they found that fasting acts directly on SIRT1, one of a family of sirtuin enzymes, thereby down regulating these SREBPs.
Sirtuin enzymes have become an active area of research since early 2000s because of findings that stimulation of sirtuin activity via calorie restriction, intermittent fasting and compounds such as resveratrol protected mice fed a high calorie diet against weight gain, and increased the lifespan in nematode worms, fruitflies, fish and rodents.

Geneticists and medical researchers are only just beginning to understand how genes encode sirtuin enzymes, how the enzymes influence energy metabolism, and investigating various drugs as possible candidates to stimulate SIRT1.

Fasting and Cleanse Days

The study may potentially offer new insights into the science behind Isagenix products and systems. "The biological mechanism by which fasting turns off the proteins that stimulate fat and cholesterol synthesis may explain partially our success with our two weight loss programs, where we incorporate one to two days per week of Cleanse Days, which we've shown successfully produce healthy weight loss in adults," says Susie Rockway, Ph.D., director of Isagenix Research and Science.

Dr. Rockway adds, "Similarly, the new study is interesting as it could have other implications because it offers support to intermittent fasting, or Cleanse Days, as a potential alternative to caloric restriction for stimulating SIRT1."  

In late April, Dr. Rockway presented the results of two pilot studies a nine-day study and 28 day study both of which found Isagenix products and Cleanse Days supported adults with healthy weight loss, maintaining healthy lipid profiles. The studies also found subjects felt better about their weight, health and energy levels.

Cleanse Days days of limited food calories and water complemented by the botanical based detox drink, Cleanse for Life are a component of the Isagenix Cleansing and Fat Burning System, a nutritional program developed by the company to help customers achieve their health goals with cleansing and detoxification, replenishing with proper diet and nutrition, and controlling caloric intake.

Reference: Walker AK, Yang F, Jiang K et al. Conserved role of SIRT1 orthologs in fasting-dependent inhibition of the lipid/cholesterol regulator SREBP. Genes Dev 2010;24:1403-17.