The Science Behind Fasting and Its Impact on Weight Loss

Fasting has been a regular part of human society throughout history. Many people are now re-discovering this dietary intervention. Fasts can range from twelve hours to three months. Short-duration fasts fit easily into family life schedules, and longer-duration fasts give quicker results. Like anything, fasting becomes easier the more you practice. When done correctly, fasting can provide significant health benefits while saving time and money.

Through the power of propaganda and advertising, big food companies have changed the way we think about fasting and our relationship with food. We eat for comfort, not for fuel. Instead of fasting being a purifying, spiritual, healthy practice and tradition, it is now seen as something to be feared at all costs or at least not taken seriously. Fasting is effective, simple, and guaranteed to enhance the quality of life; don't ask Big Pharma. Personally, fasting taught me discipline with food, and I could see how different foods directly affected my mood and body.

IF or intermittent fasting means that fasting occurs regularly between periods of normal eating. There are many variations to IF; remember, you can always switch from one fasting method to another, but remember that the first few days/week require resilience and discipline. My favorite method of IF is the 16:8 method, which has a fasting window of 16 hours and an eating window of 8. For example, you stop eating at 7 p.m. and eat again at 11 a.m. daily. When you fast for at least 12 hours, you begin to burn stored inaccessible fat for fuel rather than sugar. This method worked for me because it's flexible and simple enough to incorporate into your everyday life. Weight loss with this method is slow to start, but once you are consistent, the weight loss is steady.

It's crucial always to break your fast with hydrating and high-protein meals; if you fast and proceed to eat crap during your eating window, this will be counterproductive.

Other Benefits of Fasting

• Improve cholesterol and sugar levels (possible reversal of Diabetes 2)

• Improves self-discipline

• Potential Cancer Prevention

• Improve Immune System

• Increase connection with self and spirituality/religion

• Organ reset (giving organs like the liver and colon time to rest)

• Learn that when we eat, it is just as important as what we eat

• Learn how to cleanse and fuel your body

Who should NOT fast?

Suppose you are underweight or have eating disorders, pregnant, breastfeeding, and under 18. You could fast but may need medical supervision under these conditions: you have diabetes mellitus, and you take prescription medication if you have gout or liver, kidney, or heart disease.