Intermittent Fasting--What is all the hype about!?

Intermittent Fasting: What is all the hype about?

The phrase “intermittent fasting” has gained in popularity over the past few years. You may
have caught wind of this health trend that has gained attention due to the ease and benefits of
intermittent fasting.

Unlike a “diet,” intermittent fasting focuses on WHEN you eat as opposed to focusing so heavily
on what you eat. While fasting intermittently cannot undo a bad diet, there are many benefits
associated with it. Research has linked intermittent fasting to benefits like weight loss,
improved health markers, a reduced risk of chronic health conditions, and improved brain
health. 1

When you make the decision to fast intermittently, you abstain from food longer than the
typical American would. As a result, your body gets a break from constantly digesting food. This
type of fasting also jumpstarts ketosis, which is the body’s natural fat-burning state. This is why
weight loss and improved health markers are common outcomes for people who fast
intermittently.

Typically, when you sit down for a meal or a snack, your body uses the glucose (or sugar) from
the food as energy. It then stores the leftover glycogen in your muscles and liver. When your
body does not get that steady stream of glucose, it breaks down the leftover glycogen as fuel.
Once those are emptied, your body then starts burning fat cells to power your body. 2
There are many different ways you can do intermittent fasting, and this is why so many people
like it. You can choose to stop eating at 6:00pm, for example, and then simply not eat again
until 8:00 am. You can stretch your fasting out longer, and instead choose to only eat for eight
hours of the day and fast for the remaining 16 hours. You can (and should) continue to drink
water during your “fasting” time.

It is important to remember that intermittent fasting should be viewed as a lifestyle change,
rather than a diet change. However, to get the most benefits out of intermittent fasting, you
should be filling your diet with healthy, whole foods during the day so that you can get as many
nutrients in as possible. Also, it is important to always listen to your body. While there are many
benefits to fasting intermittently, it should be avoided if you suffer from low blood sugar. If you
have a history of an eating disorder, this may not be ideal for you, either. Intermittent fasting is
also not recommended for children and teenagers, as they are still actively growing. It is
important that you find what works for you and your body to optimize your own health.

References:
1. Kandola, Aaron. “What are the benefits of intermittent fasting.” Medical News Today.
November 7, 2018.
2. Longo, Valter, Satchidananda, Panda. “Fasting, circadian rhythms, and time restricted
feeding in healthy lifespan.” Cell Metabolism. 23 (6) 1048-1059. June 16, 2016.