5 Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

There is a lot of conflicting information about intermittent fasting out there. There are several different ways to approach using it as an effective weight loss tool. It works well when paired with a ketogenic lifestyle and a consistent exercise plan which includes both cardio and resistance training. Let’s take a look at just a few reasons to try adding intermittent fasting to your healthy lifestyle.FaFat

Here are 5 benefits of intermittent fasting :

1. Fat Loss:

Fat loss is the main reason that people get started with intermittent fasting. Notice I said fat loss, not weight loss. The goal is to lose fat. Weight is just a number on a scale that tells us the pull of gravity on our bodies. IF can help you lose weight by reducing calorie intake, increasing fat burning, and improving metabolism. Intermittent fasting  increases fat burning. During a fasted state, your body switches from using glucose (carbohydrates) for energy to using stored fat instead. This process, known as ketosis, can increase fat burning and lead to more significant fat loss over time. Also, HGH is a hormone that helps with muscle growth and fat loss. Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase HGH levels, which can promote fat loss.

2. Improved Insulin Sensitivity:

Intermittent fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, which can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels and helps your body store excess calories as fat. When you fast, insulin levels decrease, which can help your body burn fat instead of storing it. By reducing insulin resistance, intermittent fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels more efficiently.

3.Increased Autophagy:

 

 

Autophagy is the process by which the body removes damaged cells and recycles their components. Intermittent fasting can increase autophagy, which can help prevent aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Autophagy helps in clearing out damaged or dysfunctional cellular components, leading to healthier cells. This process is particularly essential for cells with high turnover rates such as immune cells and intestinal lining cells. Autophagy plays a crucial role in slowing down the aging process. It removes damaged or dysfunctional proteins and organelles, which can accumulate in cells as we age and lead to cell damage and age-related diseases. Autophagy can help prevent cancer by removing damaged DNA, organelles, and proteins that can lead to the development of cancer cells. It also helps in eliminating cells with damaged DNA, preventing their growth and spread. Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy brain cells and protecting against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It helps clear out toxic proteins that can accumulate in the brain and cause damage.

4. Reduced Inflammation:

Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to a range of health problems and is the root of many of today’s chronic diseases. In the case of cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation can lead to the formation of plaque and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)  causing damage to the blood vessels, This, along with other risk factors, can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Chronic inflammation has been shown to have a role in the development of cancer due to the helping the growth of abnormal cells. Because this causes DNA damage it hampers the ability of the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. This same chronic inflammation also plays a role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis by causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs and treating them as foreign bodies to attack.

5.Improved Brain Function:

Chronic inflammation can also be tied to neurogenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Out of control chronic inflammation can damage brain cells and cause toxic proteins to cause premature cell death (apoptosis) creating brain damage. Intermittent fasting can improve brain function by increasing the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the growth and survival of brain cells. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and focus.