Weight gain is a problem plaguing so many people all over the world. Our lifestyle habits are certainly not helpful; unhealthy food, lack of proper routine, demanding work life, staying up till late all have made wellness a difficult to follow through concept.

As a consequence, obesity, weight-gain and the subsequent problems that challenge people and experts alike. Making lifestyle changes is a big issue; not everyone can commit to the uber healthy diets. Others are foodies who simply cannot end their relationship with food.

Moreover, there are just too many principles to follow in a diet that make it difficult for a layman to have a technical diet plan; not everyone has the access to the best nutritionist in Karachi who can break down the meal plan to more simplistic terms.

Money also plays a big role; natural and organic foods are often more expensive than the processed alternatives. In this context, intermittent fasting is an easy a feasible solution!

Intermittent fasting to the rescue!

IF has been gaining popularity for its simplicity and effectiveness. It does not call for any major dietary changes, you do not need to eliminate any food group or buy expensive food items or have technical knowledge about food science. Intermittent fasting is not about how to consume food, but when to consume food.

Meal timings play an important role in our body’s response to food being consumed and is often neglected. The simple act of eating meals on time can promote weight loss as our body will utilize the calories consumed, depending on the time of the deal.

Thus, you do not need to do any homework with IF; there is no special grocery list, no monotonous meal plan, no complicated lifestyle choices to be made. Simple and sustainable, intermittent fasting is very easy to do.

There are several methods to carry out intermittent fasting; you can reduce the hours in which you eat in a day. For example, 16/8 is a type of IF in which you are eating for 8 hours only and fast in the rest of the 16 hours.

Another way is to fast on specific days; in eat-stop-eat, people fast for a day or two during a week and eat regularly for the rest of the days. This makes IF very uncomplicated to practice.

Moreover, fasting is a sort of natural process for the body. Not only is fasting part of the human evolution history, but also is an important ritual in many cultures and religions. Also, every time we sleep, our body enters into the fasting zone. Therefore, there is no need to acclimatize the body to this diet per se.

Benefits of Intermittent fasting

Weight loss

Whereas glucose is the basic energy unit utilized by the body, carbohydrates do not have to be sole source of it. Fat too, can also be broken down by the body to release glucose.

However, for this to happen, your insulin levels need to decrease and fasting aids in precisely this. Consequently, the stubborn fat is easily used up by the body.

Moreover, intermittent fasting also helps in decreasing the calorie intake overall as well; when you restrict your mealtimes, the food intake also decreases as a result. Grazing and snacking sneak in so many calories, unbeknownst to the people. Fasting prevents this from happening.

Furthermore, so many of us eat for the sake of it or have conditioned our bodies to eating, a lot. Fasting, on the other hand, helps to suppress appetite so the extra calories are not consumed by the body.

This also then is great for averting the risks of obesity related conditions. It also makes the weight loss journey more organic; you naturally want to eat less instead of depriving yourself.

Moderation of Hormones

Continuous eating and that too of sugary and refined foods leads to spike in blood sugar levels and thus insulin sensitivity, which can potentially cause diabetes. Fasting helps to prevent this very condition.

It also helps to moderate the growth hormone levels, which leads to better muscular growth. It also is effective for fat loss too.

Improved cellular repair and health

Fasting is great for improved tissue repair and growth in the body. It also helps in improving the metabolic processes. Consequently, cells carry their tasks better. Intermittent fasting thus improves overall health as well.

Moreover, fasting is also associated with decreased inflammation; the immune system is thus able to work more effectively for preventing illnesses. It also aids in remedying hypertension and joint pain.

Similarly, fasting also is helpful in detoxing the body, which also is conducive for improved health. It is excellent for brain functionality; fasting improves memory and thinking skills.

Prevents Diseases

Fasting helps to prevent conditions like diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, heart diseases, cancer etc. As it is excellent for the brain, it also thus aids in preventing neurodegenerative disorders as well.

But, it’s not for everyone!

Intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not be doing this diet. Similarly, growing children and those under the age of 18 are also not allowed to be candidates of this diet.

IF is also bad for people suffering from eating disorders. Those with problems like diabetes can also not do IF.

Due to the individualistic impact of IF, it’s side-effects can also be not predicted. It can potentially cause anxiety, nausea, mood problems or sugar withdrawal symptoms.

Thus, it is always best to first confer with the best nutritionist in Lahore before taking up intermittent fasting.