Why Intermittent Fasting Can Be A Powerful Tool For Your Health

Intermittent fasting has been trending for quite some time now, is it simply hype or is there science to back-up the grandiose claims of weight loss and improved overall health? 

Before we get into the details of intermittent fasting, it’s important to lay the foundation: no fasting or weight-loss program in the short term can undo the effects of a poor diet. Meaning, intermittent fasting (as you’ll soon see) can be a powerful tool for your overall health, but a nutrient-dense diet of whole foods will always reign supreme. The most effective way to boost your long-term health is to maintain this high-quality diet while staying hydrated and moving your body. With that being said…let’s get into it. 

Simply put, intermittent fasting happens when an individual goes extended periods with little or no food intake. There are varying degrees to which one can practice intermittent fasting, but ultimately they fall into two categories: time-restricted eating and whole day fasts. 

With time-restricted eating, you shrink the window of time during which you eat each day. Typically, that involves extending the duration of your regular overnight fast, anywhere from 12 to 20 hours, by skipping either breakfast or dinner. Whole-day fasts are just as they sound, where one will fast for 24 hours for as little as once or twice a month or as much as once or twice per week (1).

Recent randomized controlled trials in human subjects have demonstrated that intermittent fasting can improve many health indicators in healthy individuals and those with some chronic diseases. Studies have also found that certain behavioral changes occur during the fasting period, including increased alertness/arousal and increased mental acuity (2). Numerous studies support its health benefits including ,but not limited to, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced oxidative stress, reduced cravings, improved efficiency at fat-burning, and improved metabolic benefits (3).

Ultimately, intermittent fasting gives your body time to reset. When you take a break between meals, your glucose levels remain stable, your insulin levels drop and your body has a chance to clean up shop — all of which can support major benefits like weight loss and longevity (4).

If you’ve never done a fast before, consider a simple form of intermittent fasting where you limit the hours of the day when you eat. For example, you may eat three meals between 7 am and 3 pm, or 10 am and 6 pm - allowing 12-16 hours until your first meal the next day. If you’re not quite ready for that, perhaps you can start by avoiding snacks throughout the day and/or eating anything after your dinner (meaning, no dessert on the couch!). If you’ve done this type of fast before, perhaps you could benefit from a whole-day fast! 

If you are considering intermittent fasting, make sure to discuss it with your doctor. Skipping meals and severely limiting calories can be dangerous for people with certain conditions. People with advanced diabetes or who are on medications for diabetes, people with a history of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children should not attempt intermittent fasting unless under the close supervision of a physician who can monitor them (5).

So, if you’re looking to lose weight, lower blood sugar, or improve insulin resistance, intermittent fasting may be the perfect health strategy for you! Always remembering that the ultimate foundation of optimal health will be a nutrient-dense whole food diet. Happy fasting!

(1) Alex, et al. “Intermittent Fasting: The Science Behind the Trend.” Chris Kresser, 16 Aug. 2019, chriskresser.com/intermittent-fasting-the-science-behind-the-trend/.

(2) Mattson, Mark  P, et al. “Impact of Intermittent Fasting on Health and Disease Processes.” Ageing Research Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5411330/.

(3)Moodie, Alison. “The Complete Intermittent Fasting Guide for Beginners.” Bulletproof, 5 Dec. 2019, www.bulletproof.com/diet/intermittent-fasting/intermittent-fasting-guide/.

(4)Nair, Pradeep M K, and Pranav G Khawale. “Role of Therapeutic Fasting in Women's Health: An Overview.” Journal of Mid-Life Health, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960941/.

(5)Tello, Monique. “Intermittent Fasting: Surprising Update.” Harvard Health Blog, 16 Dec. 2019, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156.