Food is the basic source of survival on this Earth. But eating right is more important!

History shows the value of fasting and every religion follows some kind of fasting pattern.

Intermittent Fasting: New Trend in the Dieting World!

Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to an eating schedule where there’s cycling between periods of eating and fasting.

It doesn’t focus primarily on which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them.

Nonetheless, the popularity has got intermittent fasting into the limelight. Queries around Does Intermittent Fasting Work for weight loss and other health benefits have been piling up.

Well, there are potential health benefits to have, and the studies back that up too.

No denying there!

There are various different Intermittent Fasting Methods, all of which rift the day or week into eating periods and fasting periods.

We know that people already “fast” every day, while they sleep.

Intermittent fasting can be just about extending that fast a little longer.

You can do this by skipping breakfast, eating your first meal at noon, and your last meal in the evening or early during the nighttime.

Then, you’re scientifically fasting for 16 hours every day and limiting your eating habits to an 8-hour eating window, which is the prominent form of intermittent fasting, known as the 16/8 method.

You may think it is hard to do but intermittent fasting is actually a child’s play.

Maximum people report feeling better and having more energy during a fast.

In the beginning, you may face hunger issues but as days pass it will become your habit.

No food is permissible during the fasting period. But drinking water, coffee, tea, and other non-caloric beverages are permissible.

In fact, some forms of intermittent fasting grant small amounts of low-calorie foods and supplements with no calories during the fasting period.

Types of Intermittent Fasting

In the recent few years, intermittent fasting is in vogue, and several particular types/methods have emerged.

Some of the most prominent ones are as follows:

• The 16/8 Method: Fasting for 16 hours each day and only eating between noon and 8 pm.

• Eat-Stop-Eat: Once or twice a week, don’t consume anything from dinner one day until dinner the next day (a 24 hour fast).

• The 5:2 Diet: During two days of the week, consume only about 500–600 calories.

Benefits and Side Effects of Intermittent Fasting

Nowadays, Intermittent fasting is among one of the world’s most popular health and fitness trends.

As mentioned, it relates to alternating cycles of fasting and eating.

Many studies show that this causes weight loss, improves metabolic health, protects against diseases, and helps you live a long and healthy life.

However, stories of Intermittent Fasting Fail are also not unheard of. We need to weigh both sides of the scales to judge the effectiveness of intermittent fasting.

Is Intermittent Fasting Healthy?

Sometimes, intermittent fasting is done out of necessity when there’s no food available or intuitively fasting occurs when you’re sick.

Apparently, there is nothing unusual about fasting, and our bodies are well-acquainted to handle prolonged periods of not eating.

When we don’t eat for a while, the internal functions of our body changes related to hormones, genes, and important cellular repair processes.

Intermittent Fasting Benefits form a long list.

Let’s check them out:

• Intermittent fasting offers fascinating reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels as well as an increase in human growth hormone.

• It helps in losing weight as it’s a very smooth and compelling way to impede calorie consumption and burn fat.

• We can do it for metabolic health benefits.

• There is also some evidence that intermittent fasting can extend your lifespan. Studies show that it can boost lifespan as effectively as calorie restriction.

• IF offers protection against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.

• Intermittent fasting discourages the advancement of atherosclerotic plaque by condensing the concentration of inflammatory markers, such as IL-6, homocysteine, and CRP.

• The IF diet results in a boost in plasma concentrations of adiponectin and a depreciation in leptin and resistin concentrations.

• IF diet helps prevent hypertension.

• The IF diet also reduces cardiac hypertrophy.

• It increases the B cells of the pancreatic islets which improve glucose metabolism and boost the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.

Intermittent fasting makes your life easy while improving your health at the same time.

Not having to eat more times per day (with the preparation and cleaning involved) also saves time.

Another Side of Intermittent Fasting!

There are thousands of lovers of intermittent fasting but very few know the other side of it!

Everything has some advantages and disadvantages.

Although the intermittent fasting diet has many assets, its disadvantages have also been documented.

Fasting may be fatal, and it is not recommended for people with hormonal imbalances, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and diabetics.

Moreover, people with eating disorders, a BMI under 18.5, and starved people are also not recommended to practice intermittent fasting (IF).

Here are some of the Side Effects of Intermittent Fasting in people who are not suited to intermittent fasting:

1. Nutritional deficiencies,

2. extreme fatigue,

3. headache, and

4. constant lack of energy.

It’s important to know every aspect of intermittent fasting before you pursue it.

Here are some things worth considering:

1. Lack of sleep: When adopting any new lifestyle changes, it’s possible that you may feel insomniac.

2. Increased cravings: Don’t be surprised! Yeah! It is quite possible that you will face this situation. Further, it may turn out in mood swings and irritability.

3. Slow metabolism: You read that right! Intermittent fasting or any such kind of diet plan is not good for people suffering from metabolic disturbances or digestion issues.

For these reasons, people with diabetes, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn’t follow intermittent fasting, especially without a doctor’s consultation.

Moreover, consult your doctor if any of the above negative impacts become evident after starting intermittent fasting.

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss is good but keeping a healthy routine is also important.

So, be mindful of the changes you experience after starting to fast. Any form of extreme fatigue or sleep disorders should be looked into.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting is beneficial and keeps you healthy. But, at the same time, if you fail in doing it right, you may notice some mild negative effects.

However, it’s pretty easy to get back on track, so no need to worry here.

People with prior health issues are always better off asking their doctor before making big lifestyle modifications. And the same is true for intermittent fasting as well.

So, did you enjoy this article on Intermittent fasting benefits and side effects comparison? We hope you found value in it.

For more such health tips on weight loss and dieting, you’re welcome to visit our official website at Horizon Clinics.

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