Optimizing Energy Usage Through Intermittent Fasting
Digestion uses more energy and resources than any other process in the body. Intermittent fasting is a way of taking the pressure off the digestive system and allowing the body to use that energy for healing, regeneration, and rebuilding. Intermittent fasting may seem daunting at first, so it is important that you take your time and build up at a rate you are comfortable with. Remember, this is your health – develop an approach that works for you!
Understanding Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting requires setting aside a period of time where you do not eat but can still consume fluids. There are several variations of intermittent fasting, such as the 16:8 method (referred to as “Time Restricted Feeding”) – whereby someone will not consume food for 16 hours within a day but can eat within the remaining 8 hours. This might take the form of fasting from 6 pm in the evening to 10 am the following day and then eating between 10 am and 6 pm.
Potential Health Benefits
Emerging publications suggest intermittent fasting slows disease processes, promotes weight loss (link) and induces autophagy, a naturally occurring mechanism which cleans out dead cells and allows regeneration, improving longevity (link).