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How Is Intermittent Fasting Good For You

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Are You Ready To Start Intermittent Fasting

Is intermittent fasting good for YOU ?

To begin this diet routine, you may need some support and guidance. Our 21-day fasting challenge can provide much-needed support and tips to overcome any difficulties and help in easy adaptation. Whether you are new to fasting or experienced, 21-day Intermittent Fasting Challenge can help both. Also, get access to a delicious intermittent fasting meal plan.

So, lets get started. Join us on Monday to kick start your intermittent fasting journey.

More on Intermittent Fasting

Disclaimers:

In some articles, we include products we think are useful for our readers. When you buy through these links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Read more here.

Information on this document and our website is for educational and informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a dietitian, physician or another health-care professional. Consult your physician before starting intermittent fasting, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any medical condition, or are taking any medication. Read more here.

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How To Get Started

When first trying IF, the transition can be challenging, Mattson admits.

Many fasters report uncomfortable, even painful hunger pangs as they abstain from food. Mattson suggests people take it slow, trying different kinds of IF to see what works with their goals and routine. He advises first narrowing the âfeeding windowâ from an initial unrestricted period down to 12 hours, then 10 hours, then eight hours, before finding a feeding window that is sustainable.

During the first week or two of IF, fasters may notice their stomachs grumbling or feel a sense of hollowness. Some people are exhausted, lightheaded, or shaky from diminished blood sugar on fasting days. Others experience poor concentration, irritability, mood swings, and even dizziness. In particular, people who work in long shifts or with heavy machinery should take more care when fasting to stay hydrated, rested, and alert.

After about a month, people typically feel better and less hungry, says Mattson.

Tello agrees: âThe longer you can go between meals, the less hungry you are. I think a lot of peopleâs hunger levels actually decrease as opposed to the very low calorie diet where youâre constantly feeding yourself small, tiny bits of food. Thatâs like a tease all day long.â

Mattson encourages fasters to be patient and wait for those side effects to pass.

What Can You Eat During Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting can be tough on the body. It demands that you go for a majority of the day without eating anything. Throughout your intermittent fasting window, all calories are bad calories that could cause you to break out of ketosis. The whole point of intermittent fasting is to maintain ketosis which is done by staying below 50 grams of carbohydrates for the day.

But when youre just getting started or nearing the end of the fasting window, the hunger and cravings can be quite powerful. Your body wants to break the fast now, maybe cheat a little bit with a small, low-calorie snack? It can be tempting to eat something small to tide yourself over until the end of the intermittent fasting window.

Is there anything that you can eat whilst intermittent fasting? Well take a look at the basics of the process and how it works to determine whether or not you can eat while intermittent fasting. Lets start by answering the question everyone is asking what can you eat during intermittent fasting?

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History Of Diabetes And Intermittent Fasting

Fasting has been around for some time, particularly if you consider the historical role of fasting as part of many types of spiritual rituals. More recently, intermittent fasting has been used as part of a healthy diet for weight loss, as part of “detoxifying” the body, and more. But there has been much controversy surrounding the topic of fasting for those with diabetes.

Today, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that specific types of intermittent fasting diets may be beneficial for people with diabetes. In addition, scientists are beginning to speculate that when a person fasts may be just as important as the diet itself.

You Have A Weak Immune System Or Cancer

16:8 Intermittent Fasting Protocol I

Those who have recently experienced a major illness or are currently facing one should not engage in IF without clearing it with a doctor first. Here’s why: “In most cases, adequate caloric intake is needed in order to maintain lean body mass and a healthy immune system, which is necessary for individuals with cancer or weakened immune systems,” says Calder. “These individuals should speak with a doctor before trying intermittent fasting.” To bolster your immune response, consider skipping IF and adding these 11 Healthy Habits to Make Your Immune System Stronger to your routine.

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How I Feel After 2 Years Of Intermittent Fasting

1. The biggest benefit of intermittent fasting is simplicity.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, President Obama described an interesting strategy he uses to make his life simpler. Youll see I wear only gray or blue suits, he said. Im trying to pare down decisions. I dont want to make decisions about what Im eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.

What President Obama is referring to is a concept called decision fatigue and it can drastically impact your ability to make decisions throughout the day. I explained the science of decision fatigue in this article.

For the President, simplifying his clothing choices is a way to make life simpler and improve his decision making abilities. For me, intermittent fasting provides the same benefit. Eliminating breakfast and not thinking about food until 12pm each day has allowed me to reduce the number of decisions I make in the morning, thus reducing decision fatigue and increasing the willpower I have for the rest of the day. That means I have more energy to put toward doing work that is important to me.

One of the best ways to find happiness and success in life is to strip away the unnecessary things and focus only on what is needed.

2. Intermittent fasting is an excellent travel strategy.

The solution? Treat your travel days as a fasting day and then eat twice as much good food the following day.

3. So far, intermittent fasting has not hurt my long-term health.

People With An Eating Disorder

Are you suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa? Have you had any issues with food restriction before? In both these cases, intermittent fasting can do more harm than good to your body. Restricting the eating time may mess with an already restrictive mindset and further reduce your calorie intake.

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You Have Certain Medical Conditions Like Diabetes

There are certain groups of people who should not try intermittent fasting, especially without talking to their doctor first, due to real risks and dangers to their health. This includes people with diabetes, people who are on medication for blood pressure or heart disease, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

People who have blood sugar issues or are underweight could also be at risk. Anyone with preexisting medical conditions of any kind should reconsider fasting and consult their doctor before changing their diet.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

May Enhance Heart Health By Improving Blood Pressure Triglycerides And Cholesterol Levels

Is intermittent fasting good for you?

Heart disease is considered the leading cause of death around the world, accounting for an estimated 31.5% of deaths globally .

Switching up your diet and lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Some research has found that incorporating fasting into your routine may be especially beneficial when it comes to heart health.

One small study revealed that eight weeks of alternate-day fasting reduced levels of bad LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides by 25% and 32% respectively .

Another study in 110 obese adults showed that fasting for three weeks under medical supervision significantly decreased blood pressure, as well as levels of blood triglycerides, total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol .

In addition, one study in 4,629 people associated fasting with a lower risk of coronary artery disease, as well as a significantly lower risk of diabetes, which is a major risk factor for heart disease (

However, more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of fasting on brain function in humans.

Summary Animal studies show that fasting could improve brain function, increase nerve cell synthesis and protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons.

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What To Expect With Intermittent Fasting

  • You will most likely notice your stomach is grumbling during fasting periods, primarily if you are used to constant grazing throughout the day.
  • Fasting may also lead to an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol, which may lead to even more food cravings.
  • Overeating and binge eating are two common side effects of intermittent fasting.
  • Intermittent fasting is sometimes associated with dehydration because when you do not eat, sometimes you forget to drink. For good health, it is essential to actively stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking, on average, three liters of water.
  • You will most likely feel tired because your body is running on less energy than usual, and since fasting can boost stress levels, it can also disrupt your sleep patterns. It is crucial to adopt a healthy, regular sleep pattern and stick to it so you can feel rested on an everyday basis.
  • The same biochemistry that regulates mood also regulates appetite with nutrient consumption affecting the activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Fasting could play a role in anxiety and depression.
  • Deregulating your appetite may do the same to your mood and therefore you will most likely feel irritable on occasions when you are fasting.

Promotes Better Health By Fighting Inflammation

While acute inflammation is a normal immune process used to help fight off infections, chronic inflammation can have serious consequences for your health.

Research shows that inflammation may be involved in the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis .

Some studies have found that fasting can help and help promote better health.

One study in 50 healthy adults showed that intermittent fasting for one month significantly decreased levels of inflammatory markers .

Another small study discovered the same effect when people fasted for 12 hours a day for one month .

Whats more, one animal study found that following a very low-calorie diet to mimic the effects of fasting reduced levels of inflammation and was beneficial in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition (

Summary Some studies have found that fasting could decrease several markers of inflammation and may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

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What The Studies Show

Intermittent fasting has been shown, in many short-term research studies, that it can help you lose weight, improve your health and potentially protect you from developing certain diseases. And whats most appealing, is that it doesnt restrict you daily, like conversional dieting.

Studies have also shown that intermittent fasting may help prevent or even reverse diabetes. This is because it helps to control and reduce insulin and glucose concentrations in your blood.

Intermittent fasting may improve your sleep and gut health. It can also improve measures associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, and possibly reduce inflammation.

However, theres still not enough studies to show how safe intermittent fasting is if you do it for a long time. But in general, most research highlights that its safe in otherwise healthy adults.

What Is Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting: Good Or Bad For You?

Many diets focus on what to eat, but intermittent fasting is all about when you eat.

With intermittent fasting, you only eat during a specific time. Fasting for a certain number of hours each day or eating just one meal a couple days a week, can help your body burn fat. And scientific evidence points to some health benefits, as well.

Johns Hopkins neuroscientist , has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years. He says that our bodies have evolved to be able to go without food for many hours, or even several days or longer. In prehistoric times, before humans learned to farm, they were hunters and gatherers who evolved to survive and thrive for long periods without eating. They had to: It took a lot of time and energy to hunt game and gather nuts and berries.

Even 50 years ago, it was easier to maintain a healthy weight. Johns Hopkins dietitian Christie Williams, M.S., R.D.N., explains: There were no computers, and TV shows turned off at 11 p.m. people stopped eating because they went to bed. Portions were much smaller. More people worked and played outside and, in general, got more exercise.

Nowadays, TV, the internet and other entertainment are available 24/7. We stay awake for longer hours to catch our favorite shows, play games and chat online. Were sitting and snacking all day and most of the night.

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Intermittent Fasting For Women: Benefits And Special Considerations

From the desk of Nicki Violetti

I hear from a lot of amazing women who practice intermittent fasting. This daily ritual is an important part of their health routine.

Some women use fasting to lose weight, boost productivity, support a Keto diet, or even all of the above. It makes me beyond happy to see their successes. But I also have concerns about fasting for people in general and for women specifically.

Fasting is easy to overdo. Its easy to over-stress your body, especially if youre a woman of reproductive age. Pushing your fasts a bit longer seems like a good idea, I know. Arent longer fasts more beneficial?

Not necessarily. They may cause faster weight loss, but they also come with risks of calorie restriction and nutrient deficiencies. Women are highly sensitive to these risks.

The trick is to find a balance. Thats what I do in my life. I dont eat round the clock, but I also allow enough time to get all my nutrients in. I dont think I could do that if I squashed my feeding window down to 4, 5, or 6 hours.

As with everything in life, it comes down to balancing benefits and risks. And today I hope to help you find your balance with intermittent fasting.

You Simply Don’t Want To Eat In A Designated Time Frame

It takes a lot of mental strength to commit to IF. “It takes a lot of willpower to go for extended periods of time without food,” says Calder. “If you’re not mentally ready to do this, you could potentially develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Fasting periods may cause you to obsess over food, leading to overeating and bingeing during non-fasting periods.” Instead of adhering to a strict IF diet, try these 11 Mindfulness Hacks to Eat Less, According to Experts to cut back on calories.

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What Are The Benefits

The benefits of intermittent fasting seem to affect many aspects of health. These effects could theoretically result from the flipping of a metabolic switch.

“Fasting leads to lower levels of glucose . In response, the body uses fat instead of glucose as a source of energy, after turning the fat into ketones,” explains registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This shift from glucose to ketones as a source of energy also changes body chemistry in healthy ways.

Regular fasting in animals is associated not only with weight loss but also with lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduced insulin resistance, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, higher “good” HDL cholesterol levels, and less inflammation. Some studies also have found improved memory.

Intermittent fasting is also associated with a longer life span, at least in animals. Why? Recent Harvard research suggests that intermittent fasting may allow the energy-producing engines of each cell to produce energy more efficiently and remain in a more youthful state.

“By eating in the day, you’re not challenging the mitochondria at night, when they’re supposed to be doing other things,” explains Dr. William Mair, a researcher and associate professor of genetics and complex diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “But we have many unanswered questions.”

/8your Diet Is Not Nutritious Enough

Is intermittent fasting good for you?

One of the drawbacks of the plan is that it focuses on when to eat, but fails to convey what one should eat.

For those, who really want to reap the benefits of the plan must indulge in eating nutritious, healthy foods, rather than resorting to processed, high calorie foods. While you may have fasted for long hours, it is important that you only consume fibre-rich, low-caloric foods during your eating window. Only when you do this, will you find some amount of transformation in yourself.

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Bad News About Eating

Unfortunately, you cant eat anything while intermittent fasting. Even that small snack to tide yourself over will be enough to break ketosis and ruin your intermittent fast. To get the most out of the process, you should completely restrict eating anything throughout your intermittent fasting window.

Even if youre partaking in the 22:2 intermittent fasting plan and have a majority of the day left, to successfully intermittent fast, you shouldnt eat anything. This becomes much more difficult the deeper into intermittent fasting you get. Going 22 hours or even a full day without eating can be quite strenuous.

Luckily, some intermittent fasting plans do allow you to eat throughout, but they greatly restrict the amount you can eat. The 5:2 breaks your week into 5 days of normal eating and 2 of 500 or fewer calories. For your 500 calorie days, you should stick to plain foods and gentle meals as to not overload your system while fasting.

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