Anticipatory metabolic regulation drives the distinct and improved metabolic state of caloric restriction compared to Fasting-Refeeding cycles.

Velingkaar N, Astafev AA, Prabahar A, Maravillas MA, Trokhimenko E, Rom JB, Asi GJ, Piontkivska H, Jiang P, Kondratov RV · 2026 · Cell Reports · Atlas ID VEL2026

What this study shows

Comparing caloric restriction (CR, one meal/day) to a fasting-refeeding-fasting (FRF) regimen with matched food intake and fasting duration, CR engages anticipatory, circadian-clock-aligned metabolic control (hepatic mTOR signaling, ketogenesis, metabolic gene coordination), whereas FRF responses track direct nutrient/gastric-emptying cues and disrupt circadian rhythmicity. CR improved glucose and fatty-acid metabolism; FRF caused glucose intolerance and hepatic fat accumulation.

Abstract

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Interest in fasting-based diets to improve metabolic health is growing. Caloric restriction (CR) with one meal per day includes an extended fasting component that contributes to its metabolic and longevity benefits, yet the role of fasting within CR remains unclear. Here, we compare CR with a fasting-refeeding-fasting (FRF) regimen while controlling food intake and fasting duration.

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At a glance

Evidence type	A Animal model Marked A because it is an animal intervention or observation study measuring an organismal outcome (model: Mouse); the code names the system studied -- animal work can be rigorous and still not be human data.
Study type	4 - Animal Study
Model system	Mouse
Journal	Cell Reports
Year	2026
Peer reviewed	Yes
Record last updated	2026-09-23
Source	DOI 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.118022 · PMID 42752091

Cite this paper

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Velingkaar, N., Astafev, A. A., Prabahar, A., Maravillas, M. A., Trokhimenko, E., Rom, J. B., Asi, G. J., Piontkivska, H., Jiang, P., & Kondratov, R. V. (2026). Anticipatory metabolic regulation drives the distinct and improved metabolic state of caloric restriction compared to Fasting-Refeeding cycles. Cell Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.118022

@article{VEL2026,
  author       = {Velingkaar, N. and Astafev, A. A. and Prabahar, A. and Maravillas, M. A. and Trokhimenko, E. and Rom, J. B. and Asi, G. J. and Piontkivska, H. and Jiang, P. and Kondratov, R. V.},
  title        = {{Anticipatory metabolic regulation drives the distinct and improved metabolic state of caloric restriction compared to Fasting-Refeeding cycles}},
  journal      = {Cell Reports},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.celrep.2026.118022},
  note         = {PMID: 42752091},
}

Cite this Atlas record

The record is the Atlas's own work — the evidence label, the extracted findings and the links. It is cited as part of the dataset, not as the paper.

Barton, O. (2026). Oliver's mTOR Atlas (record VEL2026) [Data set]. https://mtor-atlas.org/study/VEL2026/ · Dataset DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22059963

@misc{atlas_VEL2026,
  author       = {Barton, Oliver},
  title        = {{Oliver's mTOR Atlas}, record VEL2026},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://mtor-atlas.org/study/VEL2026/},
  doi          = {10.5281/zenodo.22059963}
}