Would you be interested to know that it is possible to gain the benefits of fasting? And, achieve it without doing the often stressful other forms of fasting? Enter intermittent fasting (IF), the ideal way to fast without making yourself miserable in the process.<\/p>\n
IF is the process of cycling between eating and not eating. To properly do this fast, dieters consume all foods<\/a> within a six- to twelve-hour period. Many people find this process helps them lose unwanted pounds. Indeed, they consider it more of a\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0than a diet plan.<\/p>\n There are several different methods you can fast intermittently. The first one is the 5:2 method. Using this formula, you will eat as you usually would for five days out of a week. You will drastically restrict your caloric intake to between 500 and 600 calories for two out of seven days.<\/p>\n The most common intermittent fasting<\/a> (IF) method is the 16:8 or the 18:6 process. Using this formula, you will eat all your calories for the day within a six- to eight-hour period. Then, you fast for the remaining 14 to 16 hours. You can use this method daily or a couple of times per week.<\/p>\n You can dramatically boost the health of your brain and body by abstaining from food for a set time each day.<\/p>\n Before the Industrial Revolution, food was neither mass-produced nor easily accessible. Thus, human beings did not consume as much food.<\/p>\n In most situations, the family\u2019s women spent vast amounts of time each day in the kitchen or the garden. There, they preserved and prepared food for the household. The menfolk spent the day in the fields tending the crops and the flocks. The American lifestyle has since changed from that of a farming standard to a consumer standard. And today, pre-packaged meals are the norm.<\/p>\n We no longer spend that time burning calories working in the garden or cooking meals. Instead, we are sitting at a desk, on a bus or train, in the driver\u2019s seat of a car, or behind a counter or register all day. The human body is not meant to be sedentary and will eventually begin to break down dramatically if enough movement fails to take place.<\/p>\n The additives, colorants, and artificial ingredients in most prepared foods are not suitable for you. And, they only add to the toxic load your body is being forced to carry. IF helps compensate for these weaknesses of the American lifestyle and can\u00a0bring balance\u00a0back to your physical systems.<\/p>\n Finding ways to lower hunger while still burning calories<\/a> is a win-win situation for those who are looking for ways to remove extra padding from around their middles. According to a study done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, curbing the appetite allows the body to dip into the fat reserves to provide energy rather than using the additional calories converted into fat if they are not burned off.<\/p>\n In the study, researchers assigned 11 overweight adults one of two eating schedules for four days before switching to the other. These schedules included:<\/p>\n Participants ate only between a six-hour window of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.<\/p>\n The study allowed eating any time during a 12-hour window between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.<\/p>\n After following each regimen for the allotted period, the participants were evaluated in a respiratory chamber for 24 hours to measure the number of calories, fat, carbs, and protein they were burning. The participants also rated themselves on how full or hungry they felt during those three-hour fasting blocks. Blood tests provided an additional layer of information on hunger levels and satiety hormones.<\/p>\n Those who fasted for 18 hours a day and were finished with their meals by 2 p.m. reported lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin and higher levels of the \u201cfullness hormone\u201d peptide YY. Those who completed their meals earlier in the day also reported a decreased urge to eat and helped them feel fuller during the rest of the day.<\/p>\n In addition, intermittent fasting appeared to help boost the ability of the body to switch between burning carbs and fat for fuel. This is an important discovery, as people who are obese tend to have difficulty burning fat. The most reported problem was the difficulty of getting the required number of calories each day. Participants reported feeling full during this eating program.<\/p>\n Women may be able to do a slightly shorter fasting period than men as their bodies burn through fat at a slightly faster rate. As a result, women might have a more difficult time following a more extended fast of more than 16 hours or so, especially if they are\u00a0pregnant. For most people, it will take about two weeks for the body to adjust to a new eating routine, after which time you should start to see some results.<\/p>\n Insulin resistance takes place when your body is unable to metabolize glucose properly. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and allows cells to properly uptake glucose in the bloodstream. Thus, insulin resistance means that the cells cannot properly absorb the glucose, allowing sugar to build up in the blood. When blood levels are higher than ideal yet not high enough to indicate diabetes, the condition is prediabetes.<\/p>\n With a prediabetic individual, the pancreas is producing a massive amount of insulin. That helps to overcome the body\u2019s insulin resistance and ensure that blood sugar levels remain optimal. Over time, the pancreas becomes exhausted and fails to produce the necessary insulin level to keep blood sugar from spiking.<\/p>\n When this occurs, a person is said to have\u00a0type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance can be prevented and possibly cured using an IF program that helps the body\u00a0reset itself\u00a0to a more natural state.<\/p>\n inflammation can take many forms, from arthritis to gout to joint pain to mental health problems. Inflammation triggers an increase in white blood cell count and additional substances that the body makes to protect you from infection from foreign organisms.<\/p>\n However, in some cases, the body launches an inflammatory response when there is no foreign invader to fight off. Autoimmune diseases take place when the body starts to attack itself. Arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gouty arthritis.<\/p>\n Other autoimmune conditions caused by\u00a0inflammation\u00a0include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. Inflammation can either be short-term (as when you get a minor scrape or cut) or long-term (as in autoimmune diseases).<\/p>\n Intermittent fasting can help reduce\u00a0oxidative stress\u00a0that can lead to inflammatory conditions by providing a healing environment for the body to repair itself with minimal effort.<\/p>\n Following a fasting routine can have beneficial impacts on your heart by reducing your\u00a0risk of heart disease<\/a>. Some people follow a strict 24-hour fast one or two times a week. However, it is possible to achieve similar results with the IF method.<\/p>\n Studies on mice seem to reveal that intermittent fasting can have a positive influence on health as well. The 2012 study involved two groups of mice. One group ate all the high-sugar, high-fat foods they wanted to in a 24-hour period; the others were permitted to eat the same foods but only in a restricted eight-hour window. Both groups ended up eating the same number of calories during the test. However, the mice that ate around the clock became overweight and sick, while those whose eating was restricted to the eight-hour window remained healthy.<\/p>\n Another study involving fruit flies that were placed on a time-restricted eating plan had hearts there were\u00a020 to 30 percent younger<\/a>\u00a0than fruit fly hearts that ate on a non-restricted diet. Because fruit fly and human hearts are\u00a0similar\u00a0in specific ways, the humble little fruit fly can be a key to determining how the strengthen the human heart of those whose hearts are weak using IF.<\/p>\n Intermittent fasting can have a positive impact on those who are dealing with cancer. The\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0appears to suggest that fasting can help fight and prevent cancer by lowering insulin resistance and inflammatory markers. Chronic conditions that increase the risk for cancer, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, can also be improved by IF.<\/p>\n IF works against cancer by making the cells more responsive to chemotherapy while maintaining the integrity of healthy cells. Fasting can also help boost the body\u2019s immune system to overcome a cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n Autophagy\u00a0is when old and damaged cells are broken down and replaced with new, healthy cells. The body produces membranes to promote autophagy. These consume old cells and remove any viable molecules to use for energy and building new cells. Lack of autophagy can lead to weight gain, lethargy, increased cholesterol levels, and impaired brain function<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fasting also helps improve the body\u2019s response to cancer treatment by reducing the impact of side effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and cramps. A\u00a0study<\/a>\u00a0done in 2018 on women found that the participants had a high quality of life in those undergoing treatment for breast cancer or ovarian cancer when using a 60-hour fasting period beginning 36 hours before the start of chemotherapy.<\/p>\n Those who fasted reported a higher tolerance to the treatment, fewer side effects, and higher energy levels than those who did not fast.<\/p>\n People who have been looking for the secret to prolonging their lives have found intermittent fasting to be a\u00a0helpful practice<\/a>\u00a0to follow. The aging process begins in the integrity of the blood vessels. As people age, the vessels supplying the body\u2019s organs are the most sensitive areas to the degeneration process.<\/p>\n A\u00a0study done on mice<\/a>\u00a0who underwent induced starvation revealed that a molecule called beta-hydroxybutyrate was produced. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a ketone that the liver produces and is an energy source when glucose is not available.<\/p>\n Ketones are more prolifically produced when the body is on a low-carb diet, during fasting, and after extended periods of exercise. This ketone can also promote the division and multiplication of new cells in blood vessel walls that can delay the onset of\u00a0vascular aging<\/a>.<\/p>\n IF positively affects the production of human growth hormone. Human growth hormone (HGH) is a substance that the pituitary gland produces. It helps in the building and maintenance of muscle and the regeneration of all the body\u2019s cells. Human growth hormone increases as much as 500 percent during intermittent fasting, making this an excellent option for those looking to improve muscle tone while losing weight.<\/p>\n HGH is also secreted in response to stress,\u00a0exercise, and sleep. Our bodies produce more HGH during the night than during the day. Using the practice of IF can help boost the amounts of HGH that the body secretes overall for an increase in youthful looks and vitality. IF can also have a positive impact on genetic expression and can help reset the body\u2019s\u00a0metabolism<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0circadian rhythms.<\/p>\n Oxidative stress\u00a0is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules containing an uneven number of electrons. This allows them to react easily with other molecules, resulting in large chain reactions called oxidation.<\/p>\n On the other hand, antioxidants are molecules that can \u201cdonate\u201d an electron to a free radical without becoming unstable themselves. The free radical then does not have to \u201csteal\u201d from other molecules and becomes stabilized.<\/p>\n Oxidation is a normal part of the metabolic process. However, when there is an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity, damage can occur to many areas of the body, including DNA, proteins, and tissue. IF can reverse the action of\u00a0free radical damage<\/a>\u00a0and restore the body to a more balanced state.<\/p>\n When the body is denied a portion of its daily caloric intake, it makes a switch over to burning fat for fuel and breaking down old or damaged cells in a process known as autophagy. This process helps reduce age-related symptoms and can reduce the risk of developing certain diseases in the future.<\/p>\n When the body consumes its dead or malfunctioning cells, it emerges more robust than it would if it allowed the old cells to remain floating around. IF can also have a positive impact on\u00a0stem cells<\/a>, the cells responsible for rebuilding and restoration of the body and its systems.<\/p>\n Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a debilitating condition affecting nearly six million Americans. Symptoms of this disease include the loss of memory, behavioral changes, and thinking problems. The brain also undergoes physical changes related to the areas responsible for memory and cognitive function. Although drugs are available to help treat the condition, none slow the progression or offer a resolution. However, IF could be a way to help\u00a0reverse or prevent<\/a>\u00a0the disease from occurring in the first place.<\/p>\n The possible health benefits of caloric restriction have been studied in depth for years. One theory for the extended lifespan noted that animals fed less than their total daily requirement in calories resulted in reduced age-related deaths in\u00a0rhesus monkeys\u00a0at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Using caloric restriction also helped delay the onset of age-related diseases. Specifically, it fought cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and atrophy of the brain. This data can potentially benefit human beings as well.<\/p>\n It can also have a positive impact on your performance as an athlete. In a six-week study, researchers studied the effects of IF on 12 male athletes using the 5:2 method, where the participants ate four days and fasted three days out of seven. At the end of the study, the researchers discovered that the athletes had lower heart rates. The athletes\u2019 bodies were also more energy-efficient and\u00a0less susceptible\u00a0to fatigue.<\/p>\n When deciding\u00a0how to fast, you have the option of choosing between several different options: the 12:12 fast, the 5:2 fast, the Eat-Stop-Eat (ESE) fast, the One-Meal-A-Day (OMAD) fast, and the 16:8 fast.<\/p>\n The 12:12 fast is the easiest to follow and is the most gravitated toward by beginners. This fast limits eating time to a 12-hour block, followed by 12 hours of fasting. One of the reasons for the ease of this fast is that a good chunk of the fasting time will be spent sleeping.<\/p>\n The 5:2 fast is a little different. You will eat within a set period of time for five days out of the week. Plus, you\u2019ll severely limit your calories to 500 \u2013 600 per day for the other two.<\/p>\n Some people like to do 5:2 fast back-to-back days. However, others prefer to allow a day or two in between. Eat-Stop-Eat fasting is when a person abstains from all food for 24 hours once or twice a week. This is an option that most people would need to build up to succeed at it.<\/p>\n The One-Meal-A-Day fast is just as it sounds. You can enjoy your single meal at any time, but make sure it\u2019s as nutrient-dense as possible. The 16:8 fast involves eating all your meals within an eight-hour period and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. A variation to this fast is the 18:6 fast. This program enables you to eat all your meals within a six-hour timeframe and fast for the remaining 18 hours.<\/p>\n13 Amazing Benefits of Intermittent Fasting<\/h2>\n
1. Boost Brain Function and Physical Health<\/h3>\n
The toxins we consume<\/h4>\n
2. Lose that Weight!<\/h3>\n
Time-restricted feeding:<\/h4>\n
Typical American feeding times:<\/h4>\n
Women and this lifestyle<\/h4>\n
3. Reverse and Prevent Insulin Sensitivity<\/h3>\n
4. Decrease and Prevent Inflammation<\/h3>\n
5. Boost Heart Health<\/h3>\n
6. Prevention and Treatment of Cancer<\/h3>\n
7. Anti-aging Benefits<\/h3>\n
8. Enhances Cell, Hormone, and Gene Function<\/h3>\n
9. Reduction of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation<\/h3>\n
10. Jumpstart Cell Repair and Cleanup<\/h3>\n
11. Potential Treatment\/Prevention of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/h3>\n
12. Extended Lifespan<\/h3>\n
13. Increased Physical Stamina<\/h3>\n
A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Intermittent Fasting<\/h2>\n
12:12 Fast<\/h4>\n
5:2 Fasting and ESE<\/h4>\n
OMAD, 16:8 and 18:6 Fasts<\/h4>\n
Extended Fasting<\/h4>\n