Every single person on the planet goes through a fast at least once a day. If you don’t go through a fast, then that means you eat too much and probably seek some type of help from a professional. With saying that, it is normal for someone to have an empty stomach after a fast. When you are asleep guess what? You’re fasting. When you eat your first meal you are breaking your fast, hence breakfast(break fast). Fasting is basically when your mouth and stomach is empty. Due the promotion of intermittent fasting by bodybuilders such Ben Pakulski, it has hit mainstream. Intermittent fasting is basically consuming nothing but water for at least a 16 hour span before consuming your meals (or breaking your fast).
Intermittent fasting his actually goes against everything we’ve been taught when it comes to nutrition or weight loss. Intermittent fasting is the polar opposite of what we’ve had drilled into our brains when it comes to nutrition, weight loss and training. The normal practice is to eat 6 to 8 meals a day, every 2 to 3 hours. Even though intermittent fasting goes against a majority of what we’ve been taught, Intermittent fasting has been shown to have many health and weight loss benefits.
The fear of many is that intermittent fasting may slow down your metabolism. Intermittent fasting doesn’t slow down your metabolism. For your metabolism to actually slow down. You have to fast at least 72 hours. Intermittent fasting is only for 16 hours.I doubt that a person would go three whole days of fasting on purpose. Even fasting for a full 2 days(48hrs) has shown not to effect your metabolism. In my humble opinion the only negative that I have when it comes to intermittent fasting is the extreme discomfort.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting(carbohydrates and insulin)
Besides it’s weight loss benefits there are a few benefits to fasting or intermittent fasting. For instance, just like when following a low calorie diet fasting or intermittent fasting can lower the risk of a stroke and or cardiovascular disease. Intermittent Fasting has great effects on the heart. Studies have shown that fasting for 16 to 24 hours once a month may assist in preventing coronary artery disease along with weight loss.
Intermittent fasting lowers the risk of chronic disease and also improve the digestion of carbohydrates. The main thing is insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is assist in uptake of nutrients into the liver, muscles, and fat cells as well. When carbohydrates are consumed, the body releases insulin. When eating too many carbohydrates too often will cause this.
Hunger
Obviously when it comes to fasting or intermittent fasting hunger will be one the downfalls to this diet. So it’s understandable to skeptical about trying this diet(intermittent fasting). Just understand the benefits, that intermittent fasting will have. While intermittent fasting you allow your body the full amount of time that it needs to process all of your food completely. While fasting or intermittent fasting drinking plenty of water, plain tea and black coffee(only these options) will help you deal with the fasting hunger pains. These intermittent fasting hunger pains won’t last the more your body gets used to it.
Ghrelin
Ghrelin also known as “the hunger keeper” is defined as an appetite stimulant the body learns to discharge based off your meal patterns. This means that you get hungry because it’s a time that you are normally eating(ghrelin). After a fasting or intermittent fasting for a week or two your body will create less ghrelin. Creating less ghrelin will allow you to have more control over your hunger and when you eat during the intermittent fasting process.
First few intermittent fasting weeks maybe intense and it will be a struggle. With some people dealing with the intermittent fasting process isn’t worth it. But the results will speak for itself. Understand that if you are able to make through this intermittent fasting process it’ll get easier and it’ll be worth it in the end.
Should I Try Intermittent Fasting?
The info behind intermittent fasting seems to be solid when it comes to weight loss. But there many different paths that you can take when it comes to weight loss or dieting(intermittent fasting). If struggling with the first few weeks of intermittent fasting doesn’t seem worth it, just understand that every diet comes with that issue. Just remember the perks such as fast weight loss that come with intermittent fasting. Most importantly before beginning this weight loss journey with intermittent fasting or any diet you should speak with a physician.
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