Last Updated on July 26, 2023 by Lori Geurin
Intermittent fasting is all the rage these days. But does it really work? Many people claim that it is an incredibly effective weight loss tool, as it can help you burn fat and lose weight more quickly than traditional dieting methods. Additionally, some studies have shown that intermittent fasting can also have a number of other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk for certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease. In this article, we will take a closer look at the health benefits of intermittent fasting, as well as explore some of the different methods and strategies that you can try if you are interested in trying this approach to weight loss and living a healthier, happier life.
- What Is Intermittent Fasting?
- Intermittent Fasting and Metabolism Myths
- 9 Proven Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
- Is Daily Fasting Healthy?
- Final Thoughts – Proven Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
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What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Fasting is a natural practice that’s been around for years. Many people love intermittent fasting for its proven health benefits. And some just love the way it makes them feel.
Say you were a caveman living in the paleolithic era. Your body would go through cycles of feast and famine out of necessity. You may be surprised to learn that our bodies are designed to live this way. Yet, when you survive in constant ‘feast mode,’ your body doesn’t benefit from the natural repair and renewal it’s designed for.
At the heart of intermittent fasting is the concept that by limiting your food intake for a certain period of time, you can give your body a chance to tap into its fat reserves and burn off unwanted pounds more efficiently. This can be especially effective if you are trying to lose weight quickly or if you are looking to tone up and build muscle.
One of the main benefits of intermittent fasting is that it can help you feel more energized and focused throughout the day. By cutting out foods like sweets and processed snacks, you will be able to avoid those sugar highs and lows that often lead to tiredness and distraction. Additionally, your digestion will likely improve as your body will have time to rest and absorb nutrients more effectively throughout the day.
RELATED: Intermittent Fasting and Coffee: Does Black Coffee Break a Fast?
Intermittent Fasting Methods
When it comes to different methods of intermittent fasting, there are a number of different approaches that you can try. For example, you could choose to simply skip breakfast each morning or limit your daily food intake to an eight-hour period during the day. Or, if you really want to take it up a notch, you could try fasting for 24 hours once or twice per week in order to give your body a real detox from food.
Overall, if you are looking for an effective way to lose weight and improve your overall health, then intermittent fasting may be the perfect solution for you. So why not try it today and see what positive results you can achieve with this health and weight loss strategy?
Let’s take a quick look at some common myths about metabolism before moving on to the benefits of fasting.
(Want our FREE Guide To Intermittent Fasting? Just click below to get your eBook now.)
Intermittent Fasting and Metabolism Myths
Has anyone ever told you to eat frequent, small meals to keep your metabolism burning?
In reality, this advice keeps you in ‘feast mode’ and makes you hungrier (much hungrier) than intermittent fasting (IF).
I lived this way for years…until I learned the truth and experienced it myself. Sometimes seeing is believing.
Yes, it may sound counterintuitive. I felt the same way at first. It’s one of those things you may have to try to experience for yourself.
So for those who need a little more convincing, keep reading to find out how intermittent fasting can help you feel full longer and also boasts many health benefits backed by scientific evidence.
Win-win.
RELATED: Break Your Fast, Still Burn More Fat.
9 Proven Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
1. Cellular Repair
Your body is constantly working to cleanse and detox. But when your diet is poor, or you’re eating round the clock, it doesn’t work like it’s supposed to. This wears out your cells, especially the mitochondria, which are recycled during autophagy.
(Check out our social media detox challenge!)
Most of all, intermittent fasting gives the body time to focus solely on repairing the cells. Also, new research shows the benefits of fasting for Alzheimer’s patients.[*]
Here’s a quick TikTok video I made about the benefits of intermittent fasting.
@wellnesslori Intermittent fasting benefits ##intermittentfastingbenefits ##intermittentfastingforweightloss ##intermittentfastinglifestyle
♬ original sound – LoriGeurin
Next is a reason so many people turn to fasting…
2. Weight Loss And Belly Fat Loss
IF can boost your metabolism. It can also help you lose weight and belly fat. Losing weight with IF causes less muscle loss than straight-up calorie restriction.[*]
Related: Inspiring Weight Loss Success Stories With Clean Intermittent Fasting
3. Hormone Regulation
IF boosts human growth hormone levels.[*] This is important because growth hormone promotes fat-burning and muscle gains.
Learn what to do if you experience an intermittent fasting plateau.
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4. Lowered Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
IF can lower blood sugar levels and decrease insulin resistance.[*] Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, and most of these cases are Type 2.
IF has been shown to reverse Type 2 diabetes. It completely reversed my severe reactive hypoglycemia, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
Related: 6 Natural Ways To Prevent Diabetes
This next benefit impacts everyone…
5. Increased Longevity
Studies in rats have shown intermittent fasting extends the lifespan.[*] Though we need human studies to learn more about the impact on humans, these findings are promising.
Related: 10 Habits To Help You Live Longer: Boost Longevity
6. May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Currently, there is no cure.
With this in mind, animal studies show that intermittent fasting may offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases. These include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s.[*]
7. Reduced Oxidative Stress And Inflammation
Studies show that intermittent fasting can protect the body against the harmful effects of oxidative stress and inflammation.[*] This is truly promising because inflammation is often connected to most chronic diseases.
Related: Best Superfoods For Chronic Illness Symptom Relief
8. Reduced Cholesterol Levels
IF decreases triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.[*] This is the bad cholesterol. (Remember, the L in LDL stands for low because you want this number to be as low as possible.)
9. Cancer Prevention
Cancer is a horrible disease defined by the uncontrolled growth of cells.
Several studies have shown that IF may help prevent cancer.[*] Evidence also suggests that fasting may reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
(Learn about clean fasting to improve your fasting results.)
Need some inspiration for your fasting lifestyle? Get 42 powerful intermittent fasting quotes to motivate you on your fasting journey.
Is Daily Fasting Healthy?
Yes, for most people, it’s very healthy. But don’t try fasting if you’re:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Underweight or frail
- Have an eating disorder
Also, if you have a chronic health condition, check with your healthcare provider before you try intermittent fasting.
Final Thoughts – Proven Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
To sum up, intermittent fasting is an easy way to gain amazing health benefits for your body and brain. Below, you’ll find more information about IF. In addition to weight loss, hormone regulation, and disease prevention, fasting can help simplify your life.
Want to learn more about the benefits of intermittent fasting? Check out:
- Intermittent Fasting Nutrition: What To Eat For Maximum Results
- The Top 7 Myths About Fasting Revealed
- 5 Favorite Intermittent Fasting Methods Explained
- Quick Tips For Intermittent Fasting Like A Rockstar
For the basics of getting started with IF, please check out The Quick Guide To Intermittent Fasting. And for a Q & A on fasting, you’ll want to check out 9 Essential Questions About Intermittent Fasting Answered
Also, if you’d like to read about how IF improved my health, go to How Intermittent Fasting Cured My Hypoglycemia
I wrote an eBook all about my experience with intermittent fasting. This method allowed me to burn fat, lose weight (the effortless way), and be healthy. All without feeling hungry. As I mentioned earlier, it even cured my hypoglycemia. If you’d like to learn how I accomplished these great results, you’ll want to check out my book HERE!
Have you tried intermittent fasting? What benefits did you notice? Share below!
I’ve been seeing a lot about this lately after watching a lot of finess videos on YT. I’ve been considering it but it definitely would be a struggle for me, I don’t know if I have the discipline
I totally need to try this! I have heard such great things about fasting like this!
Yes! I highly recommend it, Bella! Please let me know if you have any questions – I’m happy to help. 🙂
OK, I’ve tried IF but how do you do it while not wanting to kill eveyrone around you? I’m not a happy camper when I fast. Help!
Hi Megan! I’m curious how long you’ve tried intermittent fasting. In the beginning it’s normal to have a few days or weeks of transition when you don’t feel your best. But after that many/most people (if you continue a regular pattern of fasting) find that they are less hungry because fasting changes your hormones.
IF is shown to have a positive impact on ghrelin, the hunger hormone. This simply means that once your body adjusts to the fasting schedule you’ll actually feel less hungry.
That said, getting to that point can be a little challenging at first. But the great news it that it IS doable and soo worth it! Here are some things you might try to help curb your hunger until your body adjusts to the new fasting pattern:
1. Eat more healthy fats. Reduce your intake of refined carbs, especially sugar. Balancing your macronutrient intake can help.
2. Get plenty of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can elevate ghrelin and make you hungrier. Aim for 8 hours minimum.
3. Stay active doing activities you enjoy. This helps keep your mind occupied. 🙂
4. Drink plenty of water, tea and coffee.
Try sticking with these tips and you’ll gradually feel those pesky hunger pangs disappear! For me, it is truly the best feeling to go through the day without being distracted by hunger and low blood sugar issues that used to be a daily part of my life. I didn’t realize how much time I spent thinking about food because I was always hungry or feeling shaky, dizzy or weak. It’s brought freedom to my life to be able to fully focus on the people and things that matter to me instead of having to center my day around my next meal or snack.
Please let me know how it goes and if I can help in any way.
Feel free to email me at healthylife@lorigeurin.com I wish you all the best! X, Lori