Following the Flow of Nature: The Microbiome and Intermittent Fasting Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine

More than half of the human body consists of non-human microbes such as bacteria and viruses. Microbes can cause infection, inflammation, immune system disorders, obesity, diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, even heart failure. Microbes are governed by the cycles of nature, including the cycles of day and night, and are influenced by what and when we eat. Research has shown intermittent fasting to be a promising approach for reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health and reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, possibly through influencing gut microbial composition. This article explores the role of the microbiome and intermittent fasting on human health from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).