Intermittent Fasting (IF) can be described as “the ancient secret to lose weight”, but its benefits go far beyond.
Evidence provided by a recent study by Cabo and Mattson (2019) published in The New England Journal of Medicine, shows that fasting can deliver multiple health benefits besides supporting weight loss.
Intermittent Fasting triggers a metabolic shift from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, which leads to benefits such as:
- Increased longevity.
- More stress resistance.
- Lower disease incidence.
- Improved brain health.
How does Intermittent Fasting work?
IF consists of following an eating pattern, which alternates between periods of eating and fasting. These periods of time can vary depending on the kind of Intermittent Fasting you follow.
For instance, if you follow the 16:8 approach, you’d have to structure your meals for eating around an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours.
What happens inside your body during fasting?
When a person is not consuming food, insulin levels drop, causing cells to release stored glucose as energy.
This repeated process, along with the reduced calorie intake is what makes you lose weight during fasting, says dietitian Sue Ryskamp, from the University of Michigan.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
- Increases Longevity
Fasting seems to help extend lifespan by building resistance to age-related diseases like heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and several types of cancers.
A Harvard research study also revealed how Intermittent Fasting can help slow down the aging process through weight loss and lowering cholesterol levels (Tello, 2020).
- Helps in Weight Loss
Intermittent Fasting is a great Weight Loss aid, especially for people who don’t have the time to follow a strict healthy eating plan since fasting is more focused on when you eat, and not what you eat.
IF promotes weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories. As well as by restricting the time periods of eating during the day.
- Boosts Brain health
Intermittent Fasting has been shown to have important benefits for brain health, including helping improve connections in the brain’s hippocampus and protecting the brain against Alzheimer’s.
In addition, Intermittent Fasting increases the growth of new neurons and improves various metabolic functions that are essential for brain health, such as reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, blood sugar levels, and insulin resistance.
How to Support Your Body During Intermittent Fasting?
During Intermittent Fasting your body undergoes several changes and needs to be strong and healthy. In consequence, we recommend you support your fasting process with vitamins and nutrients to always be protected.
Options for supplementing during Intermittent Fasting:
Fasting Package – Intermittent Fasting Challenge
Contains Vitamin D-3, Bragg® Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, and Turmeric Root Extract.
For only Afl. 50.00.
Fasting Package with magnesium – Intermittent Fasting Challenge
Contains Natural Calm Relaxing Magnesium Supplement, Vitamin D-3, Bragg® Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, and Turmeric Root Extract
For only Afl. 99.95.
Find them at Nature’s Discount, and start improving your health and achieve your goals with Intermittent Fasting.