Nidhi Gupta
Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained immense popularity in recent years, with many touting it as a revolutionary approach to weight management and overall health. But what exactly is intermittent fasting, and what do you need to know before jumping on the fasting bandwagon?
Understanding Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is not a diet but rather a pattern of eating. It involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. The primary focus is on when you eat rather than what you eat. Here are some common intermittent fasting methods:
The 16/8 Method: This method involves fasting for 16 hours each day and restricting your eating to an 8-hour window. For example, you might eat between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM and fast from 8:00 PM to 12:00 PM the next day.
The 5:2 Method: In this approach, you eat regularly five days a week and significantly reduce your calorie intake (usually around 500-600 calories) on the other two non-consecutive days.
The Eat-Stop-Eat Method: With this method, you fast for a full 24 hours once or twice a week. For example, you might fast from dinner one day to dinner the next day.
Alternate Day Fasting: As the name suggests, this method alternates between days of normal eating and days of fasting or consuming very few calories.
The Warrior Diet: This involves eating small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables during the day and having one large meal in the evening.
Health Benefits of Intermittent
Fasting
Weight Loss: Intermittent fasting can lead to a calorie deficit, promoting weight loss. Fasting periods also encourage the body to burn fat for energy.
Improved Metabolic Health: Intermittent Fasting can enhance insulin sensitivity, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Heart Health: Intermittent Fasting may lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Brain Health: It can boost the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports brain function and may protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Longevity: While more research is needed, intermittent fasting has shown potential in extending lifespan by promoting cellular repair.
How does it work
When you do intermittent fasting, many things happen in your body on the cellular and molecular levels. Your body makes the stored body fat more accessible and important repair processes are also initiated in your body.
Changes that occur in your body when you fast:
Human Growth Hormone (HGH): The levels of HGH increase 5-fold which has benefits for fat loss and muscle gain.
Insulin: Insulin sensitivity improves which makes the stored body fat more accessible.
Cellular repair: When you do intermittent fasting, your cells initiate cellular repair processes which remove the metabolic wastes and make room for the growth of new and healthy cells.
Who not follow Intermittent Fasting?
People with health considerations should avoid Intermittent Fasting. This includes people with diabetes, breastfeeding mothers, low blood pressure patients, a woman trying to conceive, kids, and people suffering from any fever.
Conclusion
Intermittent fasting can be an effective and flexible approach to managing weight and improving overall health. However, it’s essential to choose a method that suits your lifestyle and consult with a nutritionist especially if you have underlying health conditions.
While intermittent fasting offers several health benefits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, the key to successful intermittent fasting lies in balance, consistency, and a focus on long-term health and wellness.
(The author is Internationally Certified ACE Coach)
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