Physical activity and weight loss can help lower your risk of obesity-associated diseases, including diabetes, some types of cancer, and sleep apnea.
Though intermittent fasting seems like other types of diet that reduce overall calories for those diseases, is it beneficial for your health?
Studies have suggested that intermittent fasting may be more valuable than other diets that reduce inflammation and improve inflammation-related conditions like arthritis, asthma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.
However, it is vital to know that this type of fasting can cause irritative side effects (like insomnia, headaches, fatigue, and nausea), which might go away within a month.
Before we dive deep into intermittent fasting and whether it is beneficial, let’s explain what it’s all about. It is an eating schedule that flip-flops between eating and fasting in an orderly scheme.
The primary significance of intermittent fasting is that it focuses on “when to eat”, while many diets are about “what to eat”.
As this fasting is safe for many people, not everyone can participate. When pregnant or breastfeeding, skipping meals may not be the best way to manage your weight.
People with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux, kidney stones, and other medical problems need to speak with a doctor before beginning intermittent fasting.
Since intermittent fasting involves eating during a particular time, abstaining from food for a certain number of hours every day or just eating one meal a couple of days a week can help you shed fat.
Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University that has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years, says that our bodies can go without food for many hours, even several days or longer.
Knowing if intermittent fasting is beneficial or not
Intermittent fasting simply means denying yourself food for a while each day or week. There are different approaches to it which include;
Alternate-day fasting.
This approach means you eat a normal diet one day and either has one small meal (below 500 calories) the next day or fast entirely.
Ratio 5:2 fasting
This approach involves eating a normal diet five days a week and fasting two days a week.
Daily time-restricted fasting
This type calls for eating normally but within eight hours each day. For instance, when you skip breakfast, you’ll eat lunch around noon and dinner by 8 p.m.
From all approaches, studies have suggested that alternate-day fasting is nearly as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss. It is not surprising since reducing the number of calories you eat can help with weight loss.
If you’re managing a chronic condition and considering intermittent fasting, speak with a medical specialist first. Any fasting could be risky, especially if you’re on certain medicines or have certain illnesses. A doctor may help review your health history and guide you through it.
