Intermittent Fasting Is NOT Starving, It Promotes Longevity

author avatar Dr. Eric Berg 03/19/2024

Intermittent fasting benefits are often overlooked in the world of health and wellness.

Understanding the benefits of intermittent fasting can revolutionize your health journey.

Understanding Intermittent Fasting vs Starvation

Studies indicate that intermittent fatsing may have noteworthy advantages. Intermittent fasting, as the name suggests, involves alternating eating and not eating periods.

This is different from starvation, which involves a severe lack or complete absence of essential nutrients needed for survival. Starving oneself can lead to harmful effects on one's body, including heart disease and chronic diseases, due to the loss of vital nutrients.

However, when starting intermittent fasting correctly under proper guidance, you don't have to feel hungry all the time, unlike during starvation.

The critical difference between these two lies in how your body reacts: while both may yield weight loss results initially, starving leads more towards muscle wastage than fat burn.

Introducing intermittent fasting plans. One significant benefit observed was improved blood pressure levels and reduced tissue damage, thanks mainly to reducing inflammation within our bodies - an underlying cause of many modern-day illnesses such as diabetes type 2 and cancer.

The Ketogenic Diet

Ketosis is a metabolic state induced by a ketogenic diet, which when paired with intermittent fasting, can have incredible benefits for one's health.

Ketosis illustration

What It Means to Be in A State of Ketosis?

You've probably heard about ketones or being "in ketosis." But what does it mean to be in a state of ketosis?

When you follow a ketogenic diet (low carb, high fat), your body switches its fuel supply from glucose to fats.

This switch creates molecules called ketones, which act as an alternative energy source for our bodies during periods of low carbohydrate intake. During times when the body is creating ketones, like during keto or fasting, energy is being produced by burning fat instead of sugar. We must understand this process fully before starting intermittent fasting or keto.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting for Longevity

To understand how intermittent fasting can affect your longevity, it is essential to be familiar with its plans. Fasting doesn't have to mean depriving yourself—quite the opposite.

How Our Bodies Use Stored Energy During Fasts

Your body is a survival machine. When you fast, it taps into stored reserves like glycogen and fat fuel. Research shows that burning these energy sources leads to significant weight loss without feeling hungry all the time.

Scientific Studies Linking Intermittent Fasting with Increased Lifespan

Intermittent fasting benefits go beyond weight management. Studies reveal that starting intermittent fasting improved blood pressure and heart health while reducing inflammation in obese adults who lost weight this way.

Research indicates intermittent fasting reduces harmful fat deposits around organs, lowering the risks of chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes.

Plus, a study found that mice on alternate-day fasting lived longer and had less age-associated tissue damage. They kept degenerative processes at bay better than their non-fasted counterparts. Intermittent fasting also boosts working memory, according to research.

Implementing a Healthy Keto Plan With Intermittent Fasting

Consider coupling a nourishing keto plan with intermittent fasting to enhance your diet.

No Hunger Pangs During Fasts Explained

Starting intermittent fasting doesn't mean you'll be starving all the time. Your body is more intelligent than you think and knows how to adapt. Intermittent fasting shifts our energy from glucose to stored fat when food isn't available.

The Benefits of Combining Both Practices

Combining a keto plan with intermittent fasting can lead to significant weight loss. A study found that obese adults lost weight with this combo approach.

By fasting intermittently, one can reduce fat reserves and gain benefits such as improved blood pressure and heart health and reduced inflammation and tissue damage, all of which help prevent chronic diseases.

Switching from carbs to fats as fuel helps burn off even more stubborn fat and gives you better mental clarity.

Blue alarm clock in front of a salad plate

Intermittent Fasting During Breastfeeding

Intermittent fasting involves periods of not eating followed by periods of eating. When it comes to breastfeeding, it's essential to consider the impact of intermittent fasting on both the mother and the baby.

Breastfeeding requires extra nutrients to make milk and support the health of both the mother and the baby.

Restricting food during fasting may not provide enough nutrients for optimal milk production and quality. Breastfeeding mothers must eat a balanced diet to have enough energy and nutrients for themselves and their babies.

Talking to a healthcare professional or lactation consultant is a good idea if you're considering intermittent fasting while breastfeeding. They can give you personalized advice and help ensure you get the nutrition you need while breastfeeding your baby.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between intermittent fasting and starvation is crucial for optimizing health outcomes.

While intermittent fasting offers potential benefits such as weight loss, improved blood pressure, and reduced inflammation, it is essential to approach it with proper guidance and consideration of individual needs.

Consulting a healthcare professional before starting intermittent fasting, especially during breastfeeding, ensures adequate nutrient intake and supports overall well-being for both the mother and baby.

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