Fasting has reached mainstream recently and has been hailed as one of the most efficient solutions for maintaining good health. Please read on to understand how intermittent fasting works and what benefits could be experienced.
Positively transforming your health may seem like a gargantuan task at first, especially if you are battling obesity or chronic illnesses due to a lack of motivation to exercise or dietary restrictions. However, intermittent fasting has made quite an impression on many health professionals, celebrities and has been in the news a lot recently. Intermittent fasting involves following a fixed eating and fasting schedule during the day. Often, schedules allow for eating during an 8-hour window, say 11am – 7pm, and fasting the remainder of the day. While the effects of intermittent fasting may vary from person to person, it is seen that by and large, this technique has many benefits.
Some of the benefits from interment fasting may include:
- Lower Level of Insulin in the Blood – Intermittent fasting can be an excellent way to reduce the level of insulin in your blood. It also helps in increasing the rate at which fat is oxidized in the body which can be directly correlated to weight loss.
- Promotes Cellular Restoration – Refraining from eating for a specific duration can often give the body time to perform essential repair functions in the cells including the elimination of toxins that have accumulated over time.
- Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disorders – Following a rigorous eating schedule that includes fasting periods can be beneficial in protecting the heart, especially since such a routine guarantees ingestion of fewer calories (provided you do not overcompensate during eating hours). Cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels generally stay in control as a result of intermittent fasting, therefore, safeguarding the heart.
- Reduces Overall Oxidative Stress – Oxidative stress, a phenomenon that occurs when there is an excess of harmful free radicals in the body, is quite damaging to your health as it induces premature aging through chronic inflammation. Fasting for specific periods can help reduce oxidative stress and improve the quality of life by reducing inflammation.
- Keeps Age-Related Cognitive Dysfunctions at Bay – Diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are common neurodegenerative diseases that affect older adults. Following a fixed regimen that includes fasting as well as eating healthy can prove to be very fruitful in averting such conditions.
Note – Fasting of any kind may not be advisable for everyone. If you are contemplating imposing dietary restrictions on yourself, it is critical to get approval from your physician first. Such precautions are all the more critical for those who have diabetes, are underweight or suffer from eating disorders. Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consult their gynecologists before embarking on any form of diet or fasting regimen.
