Intermittent Fasting: A Great Way To Reach Optimal Health

May 20, 2019

Food, one of life’s basic necessities, is undeniably a significant part of human history, culture, tradition, and development. From being hunter-gatherers up to the period of the agricultural revolution, and now via highly industrialized technologies aiming to hasten and to increase food production, humans have hugely dedicated their time and intelligence to guarantee that nourishments are always available and of course bountiful.

With our desire to make food very much accessible and affordable to everyone, most neglect the risk posed by too much and unhealthy food intake. Today, more than half of the world’s population is suffering from a certain ailment and disease caused by food such as obesity, diabetes, liver, kidney, cardiovascular conditions, and even most cancer types. Food has become the top culprit of health-related dilemmas, not because of its availability, but because of the food choices, amount of consumption, and most importantly, the timing.

A majority of researchers, dieticians and healthcare professionals agreed that the time when people consume food plays a vital role in its effects on the body. With this knowledge, a strategy was developed known as intermittent fasting, which is a form of time-restricted eating that limits food intake into a particular period, typically 12 hours fasting and 8 hours eating or even up to 22- 24 hours of no food. This controlled cycle of eating and fasting had proven several benefits, making it very popular to health and fitness communities.

Contrary to common belief, intermittent fasting is not just an effective way to lose weight, but evidence-based results prove that this method leads to achieving optimal health.

Here we list some of the astounding effects of intermittent fasting, which are recognized by professionals and backed by scientific studies.

Intermittent Fasting Enhances Our Body’s Internal Functions

Internal changes happen once we start to limit our food intake when we stop eating for a specific period; several things happen in the body, which is highly beneficial.

Studies prove that intermittent fasting aids in cellular regeneration improves gene expression, and increases the levels of HGH and balance-out metabolic hormones. Such functions are essential, especially as we age since our body’s ability to protect and to repair itself declines. Through intermittent fasting, vital internal processes that have anti-aging effects are induced.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH), which stimulates cell and tissue repair will start to increase naturally. Metabolic Hormones such as Insulin, Leptin, and Ghrelin, via time-restricted eating, will be balanced, leading to controlled blood sugar levels, faster burning of fat, and healing of cells. Moreover, it improves the expression of genes and molecules, which lowers our susceptibility to degenerative diseases, boosts our protection, and lengthens our lifespan.

Intermittent Fasting Reduces The Long-Term Damages Of Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress happens when our body has an imbalanced level of free radicals and antioxidants both produced during cell metabolism. This disparity of too much free radicals results to a variety of health-related issues mostly centers on aging such as chronic inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, fatigue, infertility and cardiovascular conditions like heart ailments, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Evidence-based results show that intermittent fasting enhances the body’s resistance to damages caused by oxidative stress by aiding the anti-aging process and cellular waste removal that helps in eliminating free radicals in the body.

Intermittent Fasting Helps Prevent The Risk Of Developing Type 2 Diabetes And Heart Disease

Poor lifestyle habits significantly contribute to developing Type 2 diabetes, not just among adults, but with children. The growing number of obese kids is alarming as it indicates our neglect to a well-balanced and healthy routine.

Intermittent fasting, as it limits over consumption of food, it controls calorie and cholesterol intake that drastically changes how the body metabolizes food and eventually leads to prevention of insulin-resistant disease and heart-related illnesses.

Intermittent Fasting Improves Brain Health

Probably the most significant result of intermittent fasting is how it transforms the brain. Several scientific examinations discover how fasting increases the production of a protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein has tons of function – regulates the production of new brain cells, acts as an antidepressant, reduces the risk of brain diseases like dementia, and stroke-related injury are just some of its fascinating roles that were optimized through intermittent fasting.

Evidently, intermittent fasting brings out numerous health benefits not just physically but mentally. Through giving the body adequate time to metabolize the food we consume, we are maximizing its capability to slow down brain aging that would enhance cognitive ability, attention, and focus, deliver optimal health and provides holistic well-being.

To obtain the topmost benefits of intermittent fasting, health and fitness coaches are including it as part of their exercise and training regime, as it just doesn’t double the speed of burning fat and toning muscles, but it is proven to maximize its health benefits. However, the challenge is to have enough energy and enthusiasm to do rigid physical activities on an empty stomach. It might be too much especially for beginners, but it’s a sure way to have the ideal body and achieve holistic health.

One great way is to enroll in classes and sign-up to trusted online courses that don’t just focus on exercise, but those who can provide all the necessary knowledge, step-by-step activities, and effective workouts to reach your desired fitness and wellness outcome.

Shelley Booth Fitness offers a 4-week Total Body Transformation that focuses on targeting a wide variety of health issues from getting rid of excess fats up to maintaining complete wellness. Through highly operative and self-tested practices, the programme will bring everyone to a transformative experience towards fitness and health. As part of the class, students will learn how to properly apply intermittent fasting while getting more active and developing healthier habits for a more sustainable lifestyle and longer life.