Intermittent Fasting

Many people including celebrities have claimed that Intermittent Fasting (IF) works for them. It is a trending fitness and health dieting program for people who are looking to lose weight and acquire other benefits that come with it. According to popsugar.com, Intermittent Fasting has been also popularized by different Hollywood celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel and Chris Hemsworth.

Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel and Chris Hemsworth

Intermittent Fasting is not only claimed effective for weight loss, it is also comes with other benefits including brain functions and body cleansing.

Prehistorically, people are forced to fast for a while until they gather or hunt their food. Because they don’t have the technology that we have now, not eating is the only option until food is available. Usually, it takes a while until food is available.

In modern times, food is easier to access. This leads many people to unwanted body fats. Intermittent Fasting allows people to have the discipline. They can eat their favorite foods (or healthy foods) within 8 hours period in one day, meaning that the 16 hours is fasting. Some people would have different variations, for instance, 6 hours of eating period and 18 hours fasting.

FASTING AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

During a fast, the digestive system takes a break from working. The body produces chemicals and enzyme which role is to “breakdown foreign objects”, in this instance, food. When there is no food available, the body will start to find another source of energy, which usually is body fat. Also,since the digestive system is taking a break, the body will have more opportunity to search for foreign object to breakdown. This foreign objects can be toxins and other harmful things in our body. This is all theoretical.

FASTING AND HORMONES

Excerpt from dietdoctor.com)

Human Growth Hormone or HGH deficiency in adults leads to higher levels of body fat, lower lean body mass (sarcopenia) and decreased bone mass (osteopenia).

There are studies that shows fasting improves HGH and Norephineprine (also known as noradrenaline). HGH is known for lowering body fat, increasing muscle mass and improvements of bone density. For athletes, training on empty stomach can be beneficial as norepinephrine help to train harder. At the same time, the elevated HGH stimulated by fasting should increase muscle mass and make recovery from a workout easier and faster.

TYPES OF INTERMITTENT FASTING

According to Medical News Today, there are 7 ways to do intermittent fasting:

Fast for 12 hours a day

Fast for 16 hours a day, also known as 16:8 method

Fast for 2 days a week

Alternate day fasting

A weekly 24-hour fast

Meal skipping

Warrior diet

CAN PEOPLE WORKING ON GAINING WEIGHT TRY INTERMITTENT FASTING?

It depends. Some people may not benefit from intermittent fasting specially if their are trying to gain weight; however, there are some people who are trying to gain weight that could benefit from intermittent fasting. During a weight gaining program, it is essential to eat plenty of food to meet their caloric needs. The problem that underweight people encounter is lack of appetite and lack of enjoyment of the taste buds. This is where intermittent fasting can potentially play a role of resetting the body. An occasional intermittent can result into hunger and crave for food. This also allows the taste buds to miss the good taste of food resulting in appetite. Thus, it can be beneficial to certain people who are looking to gain weight.

CONCLUSION

Since fitness results doesn't usually happen in one day, it is important to be patient when trying to be fit. Any nutritional plan can work as long as its reasonable and consistent.

Anything too much is bad, anything too little is bad.

It is also very important to do plenty of research before going on this diet method.

Overdoing intermittent fasting can pose danger. It is important to let your doctor know first that you will be going on intermittent fasting. Additionally, not everyone can do Intermittent Fasting. For example, mothers who are breastfeeding, diabetic person or people with conditions must be careful about it. Even though you are healthy, a doctor's advise would still be essential.