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Intermittent Fasting: A Safe and Effective Diet

September 2020

Articles - Articles

Intermittent Fasting: A Safe and Effective Diet

September 2020

Intermittent fasting: is a pattern of eating that focuses on alternating cycles of fasting and eating. The main focus during intermittent fasting is not on the calorie consumption, but on the timing of consumption. When doing it one most focus on having healthy low-calorie meals, since having high calorie and high fat meals will make you gain weight. There are several methods that intermittent fasting can be done. One of the post popular method is the 16/8 method. Fast for 16 hours each day, and eat only between noon and 8p.m. Intermittent fasting has health benefits if done in the correct way (this means counting calories, eating healthy like avoiding sugar, refined grains, processed foods, have instead high fiber food, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats). Studies have shown that IF is safe and effective, but really no more effective than any other diet. In addition, many people find it difficult to fast. research suggests that the timing of the fast is the key and can make IF more realistic, sustainable and effective approach for weight loss. The entire idea of intermittent fasting is to allow the insulin levels to go down far enough and for long enough that we burn off our fat. Some of intermittent fasting health benefits include:

  • Boosting the body’s production of new white bloods cells, which helps to strengthen the immune system.
  • Provides our bodies with anti-ageing benefits.
  • Protecting against diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and alzheimer’s disease
  • Facilitating fat burn through dropping blood levels of insulin

In a study, researchers found that heart patients who practiced regular intermittent fasting lived longer than patients who don’t.  They also found that patients who practice IF are less likely to be diagnosed with heart failure. 

Remark: fasting is not for everyone. Researchers cautioned that pregnant, lactating women should not fast, as well as young children and older adults.

People diagnosed with chronic diseases especially those who take medications for diabetes, blood pressure, or heart disease should not fast unless under the close monitoring and supervision of a physician.  Before following If one must consult his physician to check if he is eligible to do it, and should consult with the dietician to do it in a proper way, because eating unhealthy food with high calories even if your fasting will cause you gain weight.

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