WHAT IS INTERMITTENT FASTING?

Intermittent fasting is a form of restricting your eating to a certain time window (typically 16 hr fasting and 8 hr eating window). 

HOW DOES INTERMITTENT FASTING WORK?

During intermittent fasting, there are significant changes that occur in the body. During the 8 hr eating window, the glucose level is elevated and during the 16 h fasting window, the glucose level goes low. The human body naturally adapts to the change when the glucose levels are exhausted by switching from using glucose for fuel to using ketones and fatty acids as the main source of fuel. This is called the Glucose – ketone switchover or intermittent metabolic switching.

As a result of this, insulin levels are reduced in the blood, fatty acids are released from fat cells and are transported to the liver where they are converted into ketones which is then used as a source of energy for cells including the brain.

“WHY” IS INTERMITTENT FASTING IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

Currently, there is no evidence to support the effect of intermittent fasting alone on weight loss and more research is needed to show this.

However, intermittent fasting limits many risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as reducing cholesterol levels, reduces inflammation and therefore reduces plaque build up in arteries, as well as prevents hypertension.

Intermittent fasting alone is not an all in all as what is eaten during the “eating window” is also very important.

Fasting may also be dangerous and is not recommended for some people e.g pregnant, breastfeeding, certain diabetics. Please consult your healthcare provider to determine if fasting is right for you.