Intermittent Fasting and Arts Engagement Linked to Slower Aging via Epigenetics

Longevity expert Dr Alexandre Olmos explains that a daily 12‑ to 14‑hour intermittent fast is safe for people aged 60‑70, can be done overnight, and may improve health markers within six months by stabilising blood‑sugar levels and reducing inflammation. He stresses that simple, stress‑free habit changes, such as balanced diet, adequate sleep and regular fasting, can activate beneficial epigenetic pathways.

A separate study by University College London, reported in the Wall Street Journal, found that regular participation in arts and cultural activities – museum visits, concerts, singing, dancing and reading – slows biological aging at a rate comparable to physical exercise. Participants with the highest and most varied arts engagement were about one biological year younger than less‑engaged peers, marking the first evidence that cultural exposure can affect epigenetic ageing.

Both pieces of research highlight how lifestyle choices, whether dietary or cultural, can influence epigenetic mechanisms and potentially extend healthy lifespan.