Fasting can be a beneficial lifestyle change if done in the right way, whether through time-restricted eating, alternate day fasting or extended fasting.
Fasting can help you shed pounds, regulate insulin sensitivity and possibly even slow the aging process – but for how long?
Improved Metabolism
One of the primary functions of your metabolism is to convert food and drink into energy for your body. A healthy metabolic system can protect you against various illnesses like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, etc.
Fasting can help you reduce your eating hours and regulate glucose levels in the blood. Before beginning any fasting or weight loss regimen, it is recommended to speak with a dietitian first.
After fasting for a period of time, your body begins to use fat as fuel instead of glucose. This occurs around 12 hours into your fast when both glucose and the liver’s stored glycogen have been depleted.
Once your cells have become used to burning fat for fuel, you are less likely to experience high glucose levels or other signs of metabolic dysfunction such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high cholesterol. Furthermore, the ketones produced during this process are beneficial for muscle development, cell function and even brain health.
Increased Energy
One of the primary advantages of benefit fasting is an increase in energy levels. Not only do you not eat anything, but your body also uses ketones instead of glucose for fuel, providing it with much needed fuel.
Your brain requires energy to function, and when you don’t eat, your liver is free to create ketones from stored fat in your body. As a result, you’ll feel more alert, less drowsy, and have better focus than when eating regularly.
Additionally, increased mental clarity is possible as your body can eliminate many toxins in your bloodstream that accumulate on the cerebral cortex.
Gaining increased energy levels requires taking several steps. The most crucial is reducing stress, which often contributes to fatigue.
Increased Lean Muscle Mass
Intermittent fasting can help maintain lean muscle mass by maximizing the body’s cellular and hormonal benefits during a fast. Furthermore, intermittent fasting reduces insulin resistance – which could otherwise lead to fat gain or muscle loss.
However, intermittent fasting must be done correctly in order to see results. It’s easy to go overboard and stuff too many unhealthy items into your eating window, leading only to excess body fat rather than lean muscle growth.
Fasting can be beneficial if you eat nutritiously-dense foods, including a high-protein diet. Additionally, make sure to exercise regularly and give your body time to recover after each fast.
Additionally, taking supplements like branched-chain amino acids is recommended for optimal results. These nutrients won’t break your fast but instead help improve physical performance, stimulate muscle growth and accelerate recovery time.
Increased Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) plays an integral role in the development and health of both children and adults, increasing throughout childhood and during puberty.
HGH deficiencies can cause muscle weakness, fatigue and decreased lean body mass. They may also lead to bone loss and higher levels of cholesterol in the blood.
It is essential for both adults and children to have a healthy level of growth hormone in their bodies. This can be accomplished through changing dietary habits and improving sleep quality.
The pituitary gland produces growth hormone-releasing hormone, which is then released into the bloodstream in bursts every three to five hours. This release is controlled by two hormones: growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin.
Research has demonstrated that fasting can significantly boost your levels of HGH. In fact, studies have demonstrated a whopping 1,250% boost in HGH concentrations after just five days!
