Fasting the Stem Cells to Boost their Metabolic Functions

Tissue homeostasis and regeneration depend on differentiated stem cells into specialized cell types. Dietary interventions, such as caloric restriction, are critical regulators of stem cell functions by altering their metabolism. This review discusses recent studies illustrating how diet interventions impact stem cell function. We summarize molecular targets and physiological effects of different types of caloric restriction and ketogenic mimicking diets in stem cells from bone marrow, muscle, and intestine. Furthermore, we highlight the nutrient-sensing pathway target of stem cells during caloric restriction. Understanding how nutrient signaling controls stem cell fate decisions is important to developing dietary interventions to improve the clinical application of stem cells.