Firstly let us clarify that Intermittent Fasting is not a diet. It is an eating pattern. And it is certainly not a process of starvation.
Fasting and starvation are not the same. Fasting is voluntary and you can start or stop at any time while starvation is forced with no alternatives.
Put simply intermittent fasting (IF) involves alternating cycles of fasting and eating. When you think about it most people already "fast" every day, while they sleep. Intermittent fasting can be as simple as extending that fast a little longer. There are different recommended (IF) regimes and we would suggest you seek professional input before incorporating (IF) into your approach.
Here is an example of a common (IF) regime, known as the 16/8 method.
You can do this by missing breakfast, eating your first meal at noon and your last meal at 8 pm.
Then you're technically fasting for 16 hours every day, and restricting your eating to an 8-hour eating window.
All sorts of processes in the body change when we don't eat for a while, such as changes in hormones, insulin and cellular repair.
When fasted, we get significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as a drastic increase in human growth hormone
So what are some of the common benefits of intermittent fasting? Here are just a few...
1. Intermittent Fasting may help you to lose fat around your belly!
When applying a fasting regime into your lifestyle it will most likely mean you are consuming fewer calories. Therefore fewer calories input and more energy output will equal a winning fat burning and metabolism increase combination.
2. Assists to reduce Oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress will damage our cells. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify their harmful effects on our bodies cells. Intermittent fasting will work to combat this damage because you are restraining your cells from glucose which is a form of sugar and sugar promotes inflammation of the cells.
3. Help you have better awareness of whether you are actually hungry or not!
We believe it is important for people to learn how to accurately decipher the signals your body gives you, and intermittent fasting is a great way to understand the cycle of hunger. Before true hunger sets in and the body, if not fed, you’ll feel pangs of “hunger” that can generally be attributed to psychological cravings. This emotional desire is confused with hunger all the time, but fasting will give people trying (IF) an opportunity to experience real “hunger pains” in the stomach.
Things to be aware of when undertaking intermittent fasting include;
- No food is allowed during the fasting period, but you can drink water, coffee, tea or bone broth and other non-caloric beverages.
- If you're on medication, you need to use caution when fasting, as some may need to be taken with food.
Our bottom line comment;
Intermittent Fasting can be a positive way to take back control of your health and achieve a number of health goals you may need to tackle. But seek professional support so you thoroughly understand (IF) and are adapting this method into your lifestyle in a way that will suit your own personal needs.
Learn how Intermittent Fasting can help you and your health. We can provide further support and guidance via our 8-week online LCHF program, click here to learn more. Or alternatively if you wish to speak to one of our Practitioners individually please use the contact form below to send us your details so that we can make contact with you.