c improvements make you feel better physically and psychologically, but they may also reduce the risk of chronic diseases.Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting may improve memory and mental performance, possibly even protecting against dementia and other neurological disorders.
Increased energy
Intermittent fasting can increase energy levels by diverting the body’s fuel source away from carbohydrates and towards stored fat, since carbohydrate reserves are depleted during fasting. Your body then uses stored fat for energy instead of carbohydrates to run its normal processes.Your brain also benefits from this shift, as your body converts fat into ketones – the ideal source of energy for the brain. Ketones trigger the production of a hormone known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which enhances cognitive functioning in regions related to memory and learning.Early in your fasting journey, you may experience fatigue. However, this is only temporary and easily remedied by drinking plenty of water during meals. Hydration helps the body maintain energy and focus while breaking down stored fat for fuel.
Weight loss
Intermittent fasting is a low-calorie diet that can promote weight loss and reduced body fat levels. Unfortunately, prolonged calorie restriction may alter your metabolism, making it harder to keep off pounds.Scientists think this occurs because a person’s insulin levels decrease when they don’t eat, which could allow cells to release stored sugar as energy.Intermittent fasting not only burns fat for energy production, but it can also aid weight loss. However, this diet isn’t suitable for everyone; consult your doctor about whether or not you would benefit from this practice.
Decreased risk of heart disease
Intermittent fasting has been scientifically proven to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. Furthermore, it enhances one’s capacity for responding to insulin, helping keep their glucose under control.According to a study published in Cell Metabolism, intermittent fasting may reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes for women with metabolic syndrome–a group of symptoms which increases cardiovascular disease risk–by helping them adhere to healthier dietary regimens.This study utilized time-restricted eating, an intermittent fasting technique which limits food consumption to certain hours each day. Studies have demonstrated that this dietary plan can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes by several percentages.
Decreased risk of diabetes
Insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes, can be improved through fasting. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this may help protect against or ameliorate symptoms associated with diabetes.Intermittent fasting also reduces the body’s reliance on glucose for energy, instead using fatty acids, ketones and other fuel sources. This can lead to weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
Decreased risk of cancer
Intermittent fasting has been demonstrated to prevent cancer cell growth when combined with calorie restriction in animals. Furthermore, researchers believe that intermittent fasting may aid those undergoing chemotherapy treatment by decreasing side effects from medications and improving the efficiency of their treatments.Intermittent fasting has also been proven to help individuals maintain a healthy weight. Studies have indicated that obese individuals have an increased likelihood of developing certain types of cancer.
Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
According to a new study, eating a diet similar to fasting may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers discovered that short cycles of fasting reduced inflammation and delayed cognitive decline in mouse models with Alzheimer’s disease.For their experiments, the team fed mice an FMD diet for four to five days twice a month, allowing them to eat a normal diet between those periods. Longer term, they placed E4FAD and 3xTg mouse models on this same diet for 30 fasting cycles spread out over 15 months.Researchers also observed that brain cells on a fasting-mimicking diet began to shift into an autophagous state, breaking down worn-out proteins and eliminating waste and damage in the body. This process may help delay dementia by keeping brain cells healthier for longer.
