Intermittent fasting is one of the most aired dieting methods these days, a pattern of eating and fasting in a cycle within 24 hours.
There are different patterns of intermittent fasting, the most common being the 16/8 (16 hours of fasting window and 8 hours of eating window) pattern. Others can be 20/4, 5:2 pattern etc.
You will be shocked to know that it is a scientifically proven method of improving your mental and physical health.
So here we bring your attention to some of the top benefits of intermittent fasting:
1.CHANGES HORMONE, CELLS AND GENE FUNCTION
Many changes occur in our body while we don’t eat. Our body changes the level and functions of the hormones to allow them to use the stored fat for primary energy generation. It also initiates the repair of damaged body cells.
Some of the aforesaid changes occurring in our body due to fasting are;
a. Increase in Human Growth Hormone (HGH)-
The exotic increase in level of HGH in blood leads to high fat burning, repair of tissues in the brain, boost in metabolism and gain in muscle mass, that’s why it is very common in body building industry.
b. Lowering the Insulin level-
Keeping the insulin level low in the blood is the main aim of IF. During the fasting window the insulin level of body lowers down dramatically and reverses the formation of fat and hence, you lose fat. Lowering in insulin also prevents diabetes.
c. Repair of cells-
During IF, our body cells rejuvenate, cleanse themselves of all waste materials and repair themselves with the help of HGH in order to become stress resistant.
d. Correcting Gene expression-
IF affects different gene expressions to cures many diseases and health problems at genetic levels like cancer etc.
2. LOSING WEIGHT
While following an intermittent fasting routine; the body lowers the level of insulin, increases the level of HGH and increases amount of noradrenaline. This consequently leads to burning of excess body fat which is then converted into energy, that is utilized by the body for its daily activities.
It also breaks down visceral fat from our abdominal cavity that otherwise is hazardous for our physical well-being. So basically, IF takes down our calorie intake in order to boost our metabolism and correct our lifestyle.
3.IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
As the metabolic activity of the body improves, so does the condition of the brain which is the most important part of our body. IF reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, blood sugar and insulin resistance of our body which leads to the growth of new nerve cells. It also leads to the secretion of brain hormones which prevents depression and brain damage like strokes.
IF even protects the body against incurable disease like Alzheimer’s.
4.PROTECTS FROM HEART DISEASES
The intake of healthy IF diet leads to almost no formation of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol which prevents heart attack and also reduces the risk of high blood pressure and other inflammatory diseases of heart. According to new research, regular follow up of IF can considerably lower the rate of heart failure and can add more years to someone’s life.
5. INCREASES LIFE LONGITIVITY
Taking an IF diet can persistently uplift a poor lifestyle of a person and help him get rid of heart diseases, abnormal blood pressure, atypical brain problems, obesity, fatigue etc. This, thus, brings the overall health of a person in the right track also benefitting him from over-aging by repairing the body cells timely.
