Intermittent Fasting: The Inside Out

Intermittent Fasting: The Inside Out

What if I tell you that you can eat your favorite foods in any portion size and still lose weight?
Can't believe it right? 
Well, now you can. 
Yes, I'm talking about new Fitness Trend- Intermittent Fasting. 

Now lets make it clear: Intermittent fasting has been part of Ancient Indian Ayurveda system. Our ancestors simply followed this practice because this is Human Nature. In fact Fasting is promoted in all the religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc.  

But due to our new age lifestyle: we have been constantly told to feed ourselves because we might feel weak. Coupled up with modern sedentary lifestyle, we have started piling on kilos and multitude of lifestyle disorders. 

So,coming to the main point: 

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating.It doesn’t specify which foods you should eat but rather when you should eat them. 

How it works? 

Fasting is evolutionary embedded within our physiology, triggering several essential cellular functions. Flipping the switch from a fed to fasting state does more than help us burn calories and lose weight. 

When we remain in fasted state-our bodies get into autophagy mode. This is body's way of regenerating new healthier cells & clean out the damaged cells from the body. 

Many of the benefits of intermittent fasting are related to these changes in hormones, gene expression and function of cells.

Here are some of the changes that occur in your body during fasting:

• Insulin levels: Blood levels of insulin drop significantly, which facilitates fat burning.
• Human growth hormone: The blood levels of growth hormone may increase as much as 5-fold. Higher levels of this hormone facilitate fat burning and muscle gain. Trusted Source
• Cellular repair: The body induces important cellular repair processes, such as removing waste material from cells 
• Gene expression: There are beneficial changes in several genes and molecules related to longevity and protection against disease. 

Trusted Source

Benefits?

• Stabilize blood sugar levels
• Increase resistance to stress and suppress inflammation
• Decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Improves resting heart rate
• Improve brain health and memory

Types of Intermittent Fasting?

Who shouldn't do this?

1- Children & Teens
2- People with eating disorders like Bulimia, Anorexia, etc
3- Pregnant  Women 
4-Type-1 Insulin dependent Diabetics


To sum it up,  IF is good for your body because according to Ayurveda and Yogic Science, human beings can function effectively with empty stomach. 
As there is difference between empty stomach &  hunger. Hunger means you feel low energy. But empty stomach means when your body & brain work effectively. This happens as we aren't over spilling the Tank (our bodies) and treat it with  respect. 

Furthermore,if you want your body to assimilate and digest food well, you must practice IF. 
Also try to break your fast with healthy and nourishing food. 

Think beyond weight loss & nurture your body from inside out.