Intermittent fasting has quickly become a popular heath trend for weight loss, metabolism boosting, among other benefits, but what does it really mean?
Intermittent fasting is a term used to describe cycles between calorie intake and calorie restriction. For example, refrain from eating or drinking calorie-containing foods or beverages for 16 consecutive hours and limit consumption to only the other 8 consecutive hours on that day. Designated “fasting” times can vary person to person, or day to day ranging from 12-18 hours of no calorie intake.
While it may sound all about calories, intermittent fasting is really about hormones. Fasting introduces prolonged periods of low insulin levels, which can break the cycle of high insulin levels.
When insulin isn’t effectively accepted into the cells, glucose levels can increase in the blood, which can lead to health conditions such obesity, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes that can then progress to Type 2 diabetes.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can improve blood pressure, blood sugar metabolism, and brain function. It can also help decrease overall inflammation, cholesterol, triglycerides, and assist with weight management through hormone regulation and balancing.
Intermittent fasting is not recommended for everyone, including pregnant, or breastfeeding; individuals with eating disorders, or underweight BMI; those with heart arrhythmias, or low blood pressure; or insulin-dependent diabetics. For people with Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or symptoms related to unbalanced blood sugar, it is strongly advised to work with an experienced healthcare practitioner who can offer guidance towards improved blood sugar health and fasting.
Contributor
Christina Morris is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, functional medicine practitioner, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist. She is also the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts (2001). Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually through lifestyle management.