Researchers have been studying intermittent fasting in both animals and people for decades to determine its effect on health, disease, and aging. The findings show that intermittent fasting is extraordinary for your overall physical and cognitive health while significantly improving lifespan.
How Does Intermittent Fasting Work?
Fasting is the practice of refraining from food and beverage consumption for a set period of time. This can be from 16 hours (intermittent fasting) up to days at a time (extended fasting), or alternate-day fasting. When the body has a smaller window to consume food, it triggers a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, which encourages the body to burn unnecessary fat stores.
Health Benefits That Go Beyond Weight Loss
Not only is intermittent fasting beneficial for weight loss and weight management, but it also has numerous other health benefits. According to a review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, decades of research have found intermittent fasting to promote cellular stress resistance, decrease inflammation, and improve longevity. Following this type of eating pattern can help treat and prevent obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, hypertension, and inflammatory conditions.
Intermittent Fasting and Diabetes
Intermittent fasting supervised by a clinician is safe for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes and can significantly help disease management. Studies show that in both type 1 and 2, intermittent fasting induces weight loss and reduces insulin requirements. More recent studies show that 4:3 intermittent fasting (24-hour fasting, three times a week) can reverse insulin resistance in patients with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes*.
*Always speak with your physician before beginning any new diet plan or regimen.
The Benefits of Keto
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that triggers the body to produce ketones, which are the byproduct of the liver burning its fat stores for energy. Similar to intermittent fasting, the benefits of following a keto diet extend beyond weight loss. A keto diet can help regulate hormone production, normalize blood sugar, and improve cognitive function and digestive health. Studies have found a keto diet to reduce the risk for certain diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.
Intermittent fasting and the keto diet share many similarities in health benefits, as they both trigger a metabolic switch to fat for fuel. Each one on its own is effective, but they can be combined as well. It is important to consult with your physician before making any changes to your diet, especially if you live with a chronic condition such as diabetes.
Track Ketosis With Biosense
You can track your ketone levels anytime, anywhere with Biosense, an HSA/FSA eligible breath ketone monitor. This device lets you know when you’re in ketone-based energy mode and burning fat for fuel.
Biosense shows you when intermittent fasting is working and lets you optimize and personalize a fasting regimen that works best for you. For example, you might find that replacing carbohydrates with protein or fat reduces the time it takes to achieve the benefits of fasting. Biosesense’s ketone data provides a complete view of fat metabolism in real-time, allowing you to tailor your diet and exercise to whatever works best for you.
Setting and achieving your weight loss goals is easier than ever with Biosense. Get yours today: https://mybiosense.com/order.
