Fasting is a centuries-old practice. It is thought to have begun in the fifth century with Hippocrates, known as “the father of medicine.” Fasting is when you reduce or stop eating for religious or health reasons for a set period of time. Intermittent fasting has recently become a popular weight loss method. Intermittent fasting entails eating for a set number of hours each day. Fasting has numerous health benefits, according to science.
What exactly is intermittent fasting?
The concept of intermittent fasting was developed by an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Intermittent fasting can be done in a variety of ways. You can eat for a set number of hours per day, such as sixteen hours fast followed by eight hours of eating time.
You can also fast twice a week and eat normally the other five days. Whichever method you use, you will most likely reap the benefits of fasting by restricting your food intake.
1. Weight Loss
Weight loss is one of the primary advantages of fasting. Many people report that intermittent fasting helps them lose weight, particularly belly fat. This is due to the emphasis on when you eat rather than what you should eat. Of course, eating a healthy diet during the allotted hours is necessary, but this diet is less restrictive than many. You can avoid eating low fat or low carbohydrate foods, as well as limiting your calorie intake. You should lose weight when fasting if you eat a balanced diet.
2. Improves Heart Health
Fasting has been shown in studies to have cardiovascular benefits. Intermittent fasting reduces your risk of developing certain heart conditions, such as
- Obesity
- Blood pressure is high.
- Reduces your cholesterol
- Reduces oxidative stress in your heart, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
- Fasting, according to researchers, improves your chances if you have heart disease that causes a cardiac event, such as an interruption in your heart’s function or blood flow.
3. Improves a pre-diabetic condition
Fasting can help you reverse a prediabetic condition. According to the CDC, approximately 96 million adults in the United States have pre-diabetes. This represents a whopping 38% of the US population. Prediabetes is defined as having blood sugar levels that are higher than normal.
You do not have type 2 diabetes, but you will develop it unless you make lifestyle changes. Diabetes can harm your kidneys and your heart.
4. Helps in the burning of stored fat
Intermittent fasting causes weight loss, particularly of stored belly fat. Fasting initiates a metabolic process. This process causes your body to burn glucose, its primary source of energy. When this occurs, your body uses the stored fat as fuel. What is the best way to tell if your body is burning fat? When you fast for weight loss, your body will burn fat when:
- You don’t feel hungry all the time.
- You have an increased sense of well-being.
- You are in less pain.
- Your blood pressure drops.
5. Can lower your risk of Cancer
According to some researchers, fasting may help lower your risk of tumor growth. This is because fasting deprives cancer cells of certain nutrients required for growth.
Of course, if you have cancer, you should consult your doctor before fasting for an extended period of time. However, short-term calorie restrictions may be worth a shot. Fasting has the disadvantage of suppressing appetite, which is a side effect of cancer treatment. To avoid losing weight, consult your dietitian before beginning intermittent fasting.
6. Allows you to live a longer life
Researchers believe that one advantage of fasting is that it reduces disease, resulting in a longer life. Many researchers believe that intermittent fasting is healthier than eating low carb because it raises GH levels. The GH hormone regulates the effects of growth hormones on your bones and tissues, allowing you to maintain healthy lean muscle mass.
Maintaining your GH levels reduces your risk of chronic disease and helps you live longer. Your body naturally declines as you age, affecting cell growth and production. Fasting allows your cells to function for a longer period of time. Intermittent fasting, as well as a healthy diet and exercise regimen, promote good health.
7. Brain Benefits
Fasting allows your body to rid itself of stored glucose, increasing its ability to burn fat. The process of burning fat is known as ketosis.
Being in ketosis boosts your energy while also improving your concentration and focus. Overall, your brain function is better. Furthermore, researchers claim that intermittent fasting can help you avoid neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Doctors may recommend skipping breakfast every day in the future to treat these and other neurological disorders.
8. Lowers blood sugar levels
Intermittent fasting increases insulin sensitivity, resulting in lower insulin requirements. This results in higher blood sugar levels shortly after eating. Keeping your blood sugar levels as stable as possible can help prevent long-term health issues such as diabetes.
- Loss of vision
- Kidney failure
- Heart health
It also boosts your energy and elevates your mood. Of course, it’s critical not to allow your blood sugar levels to fall too low. This is known as hypoglycemia. Consult your naturopath about the normal blood sugar range.
9. Reduces Inflammation
Another advantage of fasting is that it reduces inflammation in the body. It’s normal to experience inflammation after being injured, but if you suffer from chronic inflammation and pain, it can lead to you not getting the necessary exercise, which can lead to weight gain. Intermittent fasting helps to reduce inflammation in the body. It reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, and improves circulating glucose and lipid levels.
10. Improved Gut Health
Fasting has an impact on your gut microbes. Reducing your food intake rests your gut and helps to balance out your entire digestive tract. Intermittent fasting may aid in the repair of gut microbial communities. Food restriction, according to researchers, helps repair your gut lining, preventing inflammatory toxins from leaking into your bloodstream.
- Do you follow an Intermittent fasting schedule and what are the benefits you have observed?
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