6 Reasons You Should also Practice Intermittent Fasting

If you want to lead a healthier and longer life, it is recommended to practice intermittent fasting. There have been numerous studies that have proven the various health benefits of this lifestyle. From reducing inflammation to improving heart and brain and contributing to weight loss, it can make a ton of a difference in your life.

1. Reduces Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress can cause inflammation and trigger a wide range of health problems including many chronic diseases. It is also responsible for speeding up aging. Free radicals are unstable molecules and cause damage to the body cells, including DNA and proteins. When you engage in intermittent fasting, it can increase your body’s resistance towards oxidative stress. This means reduced inflammation, slowed down aging, and prevention of many diseases. Thus, the benefits of this method go beyond losing weight.

2. Improved Cellular Repair

This is another way that this form of lifestyle helps fight aging. When you fast, body cells begin the process of autophagy or cellular waste removal. Enhanced autophagy is believed to protect against a wide range of health conditions, including Alzheimer’s and cancer.

3. Calorie Restriction

Studies show that restricting calories is one of the most effective ways in not just losing weight, but also in fighting aging. However, it is not recommended to follow calorie restriction for long periods of time. It can be harmful to your mind and body. It is intermittent fasting that provides you a health alternative to traditional calorie restriction. It supplies your body with essential nutrients without providing the extra calories that need to be stored, which causes weight gain.

4. Improved Brain Health

If you practice intermittent fasting, it can also contribute to improved brain health. This is achieved by different metabolic processes that it triggers. The different benefits include:

• Reduced inflammation
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Reduced blood sugar levels
• Reduced insulin resistance

Studies also show that this form of fasting can help in increasing the growth of new nerve cells. There is also increase in levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This is a brain hormone that is required in adequate levels to prevent various brain problems including depression. In fact, intermittent fasting has also been known to protect your brain against stroke damage.

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5. Preventing or Fighting Cancer

Studies also indicate that this type of fasting also prevents chances of developing cancer and fighting it if you already suffer from it. Intermittent fasting is considered to be beneficial when a patient is undergoing cancer treatment. It can slow down the growth of tumors.

The body produces ketones from fat reserves and cancer cells are unable to rely on ketones for their energy. And these ketones are produced during intermittent fasting.

On the other hand, cancer cells require glucose for energy. So when a patient has high ketone levels and low glucose levels during treatment, the cancer cells will be more likely to be killed by the treatment.

6. Live Longer

There have been numerous studies that have shown that people taking lesser amount of calories and/or those who fast more often live longer. According to studies, this type of fasting can extend lifespan similar to continual calorie restriction. In animal subjects, some studies have shown dramatic results. This can be attributed to the benefits for metabolism and the prevention of a wide range of diseases.

Thus, there are many reasons for leading a lifestyle of intermittent fasting. It helps improve your health markers and protects you against many health problems. It should also be practiced if you have weight loss as a priority concern in your mind.

Source: https://www.vaunte.com/boiled-egg-diet-lose-20-pounds/