Should you try Intermittent Fasting?

We all want to get healthier. There are so many diet trends out there, promising weight loss at a faster pace than regular diet and exercise. We have injections, gummies, fad diets, and more that we are gravitating to. One weight loss method that is getting a lot of attention is Intermittent Fasting. 
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It doesn't prescribe specific foods to eat or avoid, but rather focuses on when you should eat. There are several popular methods of intermittent fasting, including:

1. 16/8 method: This involves fasting for 16 hours each day and limiting your eating window to 8 hours. For example, you might eat between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and then fast until the next day at 12:00 pm.
2. 5:2 diet: In this approach, you eat normally for five days of the week and restrict your calorie intake to 500-600 calories on the remaining two days. These fasting days should not be consecutive.
3. Eat-Stop-Eat: With this method, you fast for a full 24 hours once or twice a week. For example, you might finish dinner at 7:00 pm one day and not eat again until 7:00 pm the following day.
4. Alternate-day fasting: As the name suggests, this method involves alternating between fasting days and non-fasting days. On fasting days, you typically consume very few calories or no food at all.

Intermittent fasting has gained popularity for several potential health benefits, including:

1. Weight loss: By reducing calorie intake and promoting fat burning, intermittent fasting can help with weight loss and fat loss. However, the extent of weight loss can vary depending on factors such as diet quality, activity level, and individual metabolism.
2. Improved insulin sensitivity: Intermittent fasting may help lower insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar control.
3. Cellular repair and autophagy: Fasting triggers cellular repair processes and promotes autophagy, which is the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. This may have anti-aging effects and help protect against certain diseases.
4. Heart health: Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting can improve heart health by reducing risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation.
5. Brain health: There is evidence to suggest that intermittent fasting may support brain health and protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
   
   

---

It's important to note that intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone, and some people may experience negative side effects such as hunger, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. It's essential to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any fasting regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, it's crucial to focus on nutrient-dense foods and stay hydrated during eating periods to support overall health and well-being.

I recently tried the 16:8 method, and while I did start losing weight fast, I suffered a few complications. I dealt with a lot of digestive issues, pain, and severe dehydration. I went through a few days of hell. I couldn't take care of myself, I had to call out of work, and I needed to have help with caring for my son. My fiancée was worried about me, as was everyone else. My stepmother sent me articles about complications from trying Intermittent Fasting. I decided that Intermittent Fasting is not for me. As I stated above, it isn't for everyone. Additionally, if you have underlying health issues like I do, it may cause more harm than good. I'm currently reevaluating my next move. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND talking to your doctor before beginning Intermittent Fasting. 
​