Intermittent Fasting: Does it Work?

Intermittent fasting is a broad term for different schedules of eating (fasting and non-fasting) over a certain period of time. The 16/8 method is the most popular because it’s the most straightforward, is similar to many people’s current eating habits, and has the potential to be the most sustainable. Simply put, it involves eating for an eight-hour period, and fasting for the remaining 16 hours of the day. Which hours of the day? That depends on the individual, but daily eating from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or noon-8 p.m. are common schedules.

Why do people do it?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, potential positive benefits include weight loss (in conjunction with a healthy diet), clearer skin, longterm brain health, heart health, improved toleration of sugar and carbs and, in a study published by the National Institutes of Health, metabolism in those who practiced IF increased by up to 14 percent.

What does it do to the body?

Intermittent fasting doesn’t put the body in starvation mode, but it will use stored energy. A properly balanced diet of protein, fats and carbs will encourage your body to use that stored energy to boost metabolism and lose fat instead of eliminating muscle.

Is it good for kids? No. For pregnant women? Probably not. Is it an accessible approach to kickstarting a lifestyle change or slowly adjusting the way one depends on food for comfort and overeating? Yes.

To learn more about intermittent fasting and see if it’s appropriate for your lifestyle, contact the Wellness team at wellness@ themac.com.