How Fasting can Help Metabolism
02nd May 2018
Fasting refers to a period of time where little to no food is consumed, but a new form of fasting referred to as "intermittent fasting" has gained popularity in the diet world, alternating between short periods of fasting and periods of regular food intake.
The most common types of intermittent fasting 5:2 and 16:8 and differ in their daily approach.
- 5:2 Fasting Method: Two days out of the week are considered "fast days" in which only 25 percent of daily calorie needs are consumed (about 500 for women and 600 calories for men). On the other five days, you eat at your normal calorie level.
- 16:8 Fasting Method: All daily calories are eaten within an 8- to 10-hour that you choose, but nothing is eaten the other 14 to 16 hours in the day
When compared to traditional dieting, research suggests that intermittent fasting:
- Causes greater fat loss in abdominal area
- Causes less loss of lean body mass
- Improves cholesterol numbers and fasting insulin
- Decreases inflammatory markers.
Research suggests that the effect of intermittent fasting has the same or less negative effects on metabolism compared to traditional dieting. The reason why many think intermittent fasting improves metabolism is due to less loss of lean body mass and greater fat burning. Short fasting periods cause the body to tap into fat stores and burn a greater percentage of fat mass for energy.