Intermittent fasting (IF) is presently one of the world’s most popular health and fitness trends. People are using it to shed weight, improve health and simplify their way of life to a much healthier lifestyle. Studies reveal that it can have effects on your body and mind, and could even help you live longer.

 

This article clarifies what intermittent fasting is, and why you should be well informed about it.

 

What is Intermittent Fasting?

 

Intermittent fasting is an eating routine where you cycle between times of fasting and eating. It does not say anything about which foods to eat, but rather when they should be eaten by you. There are numerous distinct intermittent fasting methods, all of that divide the week or weeks into eating intervals and fasting intervals.

 

Most people already fast; every day, while they sleep. Intermittent fasting can be as simple as extending that a little longer. By skipping breakfast, eating your first meal at noon and your last meal at 8 pm, you can achieve it. Then you restrict your eating, and are technically fasting for 16 hours every day. This really is the most popular kind of fasting, called the 16/8 method.

 

Regardless of what you might believe, intermittent fasting is actually fairly easy to do. A lot of men and women report feeling better and getting more energy during a fast.

 

Hunger is usually not that large of a problem, although it can be an issue at first, while your body is getting used to not eating for extended periods of time. No food is permitted throughout the fasting period, but you can drink water, coffee, tea and other non-caloric beverages.

 

Some kinds of intermittent fasting allow small amounts of low-carb foods throughout the fasting period. Taking supplements is usually allowed while fasting, provided that there are no calories in them.

 

Why Choose to Fast?

 

Humans have actually been fasting for centuries. It was done from necessity, when there was not any food available. In other instances, it was done for religious reasons. Various religions, including Islam, Christianity and Buddhism, mandate some type of fasting.

 

People and other animals also often instinctively fast if sick. Certainly, there’s nothing unnatural about fasting, and our own bodies are extremely well equipped to handle extended periods of not eating.

 

All sorts of procedures in the body change once we don’t eat for a while, in order to permit our bodies to flourish during a period of famine. It has to do with hormones, genes and significant repair procedures. When fasting, we receive a radical increase in growth hormone, in addition to significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels.

 

Many people do intermittent fasting in order to lose weight, since it’s a really straightforward and efficient approach to restrict calories and burn off fat. Others do it for the metabolic health advantages, as it may improve a variety of risk factors and health markers.

 

There is also some evidence that intermittent fasting can help you live more. Studies in rodents demonstrate that it may extend lifespan as effectively as calorie restriction. Some research also suggests that it can help protect against diseases, including heart disease, type two diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and many others.

 

Other individuals simply enjoy the ease of intermittent fasting.

 

Intermittent fasting has long been considered a powerful life hack making your life simpler, while enhancing your health at precisely the exact same moment. The fewer meals you need to plan for, the simpler your life. Not having to consume food 3 to 4+ times per day (with the preparation and cleaning involved) also saves time. A good deal of it.

 

Kinds of Intermittent Fasting

 

Occasional fasting has become quite trendy in the past few decades, and many different types/methods have emerged.

 

Here are a few of the most well-known ones:

 

• The 16/8 Method: Fast for 16 hours every day, such as by only eating between noon and 8 pm.
• Eat-Stop-Eat: Once or twice weekly, don’t eat anything from dinner one day, until dinner the next day (a 24 hour fast).
• The 5:2 Diet: During 2 days of this week, eat only about 500-600 calories.

 

Subsequently there are many different variations.

 

 

Provided that you adhere to healthy foods, restricting your consumption window and fasting from time to time can have some very impressive health benefits. It’s an effective method to shed weight and improve metabolic health, while simplifying your life in the same moment.

 

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

 

Additional Topics: Wellness

 

Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

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