Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. You already do this, even if you’ve never heard of intermittent fasting. You probably sleep all night without getting up for a snack
Intermittent fasting plans prolong the period without food to varying degrees.
Popular intermittent fasting plans:
5:2 method where you eat regularly for five days and then the other two you have only one meal of 500-600 calories
Daily – you restrict your eating to one period of eight hours, then you fast for 16 hours. This is often referred to as the 16/8 method
You could also try alternating one day of eating with one day of fasting. Water is the only permitted item on fasting days.
Why would you care about intermittent fasting?
As a leader and solopreneur, your health – along with your time – is one of your most valuable resources. if you are serious about making the greatest use of the life you have been given, anything you can do to increase your time efficiency and improve your health is worth considering.
Research on intermittent fasting has shown several health benefits in the following areas:
1. Oxidative damage. Normal cellular metabolism produces free radicals. These highly reactive molecules cause damage in your body. Intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce markers of oxidative damage.
2. Inflammation. There was a reduction in inflammation shown in some studies. Inflammation is rarely noticed, but it’s involved in many chronic diseases. Alzheimer’s, hypertension, arthritis, and asthma are some examples.
3. Life span. IF has been shown to increase life span in rodents. The surest way to increase the lifespan of any mammal is by reducing its calorie intake. Studies haven’t been going on long enough to show if the effect is found in humans.
4. Obesity and heart health. Hypertension is reduced by intermittent fasting. This is probably due to a combination of weight loss, insulin resistance and reduced inflammation.
5. Diabetes. Reducing the number of times you eat each day will reduce the amount of insulin released. This helps to improve insulin sensitivity. Again, losing weight is also believed to be a factor.
Intermittent fasting has been shown to provide numerous health benefits. However, it’s still necessary to choose your foods wisely. The quality of your diet is still important. No diet will turn doughnuts and chips into health foods. You still have the responsibility to choose healthy foods.
Intermittent fasting can be an effective way to combat aging and many diseases. But before you start any new health regimen, consult your physician or health care professional.
Intermittent Fasting 101-The Ultimate Beginners Guide
Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work?
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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The content in this article, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material, is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, and before you start a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
