With the new year well underway, a lot of my patients are working on hitting those new year wellness goals. The idea can initially seem daunting, but I often recommend them to try fasting. The good news is that fasting doesn’t have to be too extreme to reap the many health benefits associated with it.
In the first part of my fasting 101 blog post, I’ll take you through the top benefits of fasting. Keep a lookout on my Instagram and blog for part II, in which I will list my favorite types of fasting and how they work.
TOP 5 BENEFITS OF FASTING:
1. IMPROVES FOCUS
Fasting has been shown to increase rates of growth and development of new brain cells and nerve tissues (neurogenesis), allowing you to: think more clearly, remember things more efficiently, and effortlessly focus on what you are doing.
2. INCREASES ENERGY
Most people are looking for ways to feel more energetic throughout the day, and fasting is a great way to make you feel more vibrant and alive!
Fasting signals your body to make more mitochondria, which improves your overall energy levels. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells that convert the food that you eat into energy. By increasing the number of mitochondria that you have, you are increasing your energy and vitality.
3.REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR AND REDUCES INSULIN RESISTANCE:
It’s no secret that Type 2 Diabetes is an epidemic issue throughout the country. Many people find it unmanageable to stick to a specific diet 7 days a week and find fasting to be a sustainable alternative option.
Human studies on intermittent fasting have shown that through fasting, blood sugar has been reduced by 3-6% while fasting insulin has been reduced by 20-31%.
By reducing insulin resistance through fasting, you are increasing your body’s sensitivity to insulin which allows your body to transport glucose from your bloodstream into your cells more efficiently. This will help prevent spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels!
4. DECREASE INFLAMMATION
Acute inflammation is a normal and essential immune response that helps your body fight off infections. However chronic inflammation can cause serious long-term health issues and is one of the major root causes of disease.
Fasting has been shown to significantly decrease inflammatory markers and promote better health.
5. AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS:
Fad diets for weight loss rarely stick and aren’t sustainable to maintain. Fasting, however, is an effective and scientifically proven way to help you efficiently lose weight and keep it off.
In fact, fasting is actually a more effective way than calorie restriction to help you lose fat while retaining your muscle tissue.
