https://www.cbass.com/intermittentfast.html Many people have asked us about intermittent fasting—our FAQ (11) on the subject is the longest and most detailed on this website. The claims are over the moon. A book promo on Amazon said, “Scientific trials have shown that intermittent fasting will help the pounds fly off and reduce your risk of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer, offering a dietary program you can incorporate into your busy daily life.” A well-known scientist published several papers discussing how fasting twice a week could significantly lower the risk of developing both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease (sometimes thought of as a form of diet-induced diabetes or type 3 diabetes). He believes that fasting does good things for the brain, “which improve cognitive function, increases neurotropic factors, increases stress resistance, and reduces inflammation.” On the other hand, U.S. News & World Report ranked intermittent fasting 28th out of 31 in its Overall Best Diets category. The “pros” were that all food groups are allowed and that exercise is promoted, while a major “con” is that the scientific evidence is “controversial.” Other cons are that fasting may create nutritional deficiencies and can result in uncomfortable side effects such as “headaches, irritability and hunger.” The most down-to-earth criticism is that intermittent fasting is not sustainable. Diets that focus on denial tend to backfire—you often end up eating more than you would otherwise. Validating that line of thinking, Harvard endocrinologist David Ludwig, MD,has found that fasting sets off a vicious cycle that makes us eat more and grow fatter. Ludwig's solution (and mine) is to eat high quality foods that keep you satisfied without setting off survival mechanisms in the body. Energy in and energy out comes into balance. Our fat cells relax and slowly burn off their excess, putting us on the path to leanness. That has worked for me over decades and I believe it is by far the most sustainable way to lose fat and stay lean. For more details: http://www.cbass.com/unlockfatcells.htm What has been lacking is a well-done study testing the weight control and health benefits of intermittent fasting. Researchers from Germany have answered the call. The Study Their randomized controlled trial, published November 23, 2018, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found little difference between an intermittent calorie-restricted diet and a continuous calorie-restricted diet. Sixteen researchers from the German Cancer Center and Heidelberg University Hospital followed 150 overweight or obese men and women aged 35-65 for 50 weeks. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: intermittent calorie restricted (five days of calorie-neutral intake and two non-consecutive days of 75 percent calorie restriction), continuous calorie restriction of 20 percent, and a control group with no restrictions. Daily calorie reduction for both intervention groups averaged ~20 percent. Participants spent 12 weeks in an intervention phase, 12 weeks in a maintenance phase, and 26 weeks in a follow-up phase. Participant’s weight and health status was monitored for the 38 weeks following the dieting phases. “Despite slightly greater weight loss with [intermittent than with continuous calorie restriction], there were no significant differences between the groups in the expression of 82 preselected genes in adipose tissue implicated in pathways linking obesity to chronic disease.” While recognizing that the results are “sobering” for followers of intermittent fasting, lead researcher Ruth Schubel pointed out in a press release that results were essentially the same in both groups. “In participants of both groups, body weight and, along with it, visceral fat, or unhealthy belly fat, were lost and extra fat in the liver reduced,” she explained. Although the study does not confirm the “euphoric” expectations, it shows that intermittent fasting is not less beneficial than conventional methods. “In addition, for some people it seems to be easier to be very disciplined on two days instead of counting calories and limiting food every day,” lead scientist Timan Kuhn explained. “But in order to keep the new body weight, people must also permanently switch to a balanced diet following Cancer Research Center recommendations,” he added. “Our results on the effects of the ‘5:2 diet’ indicate that intermittent calorie restriction may be equivalent but not superior to continuous calories restriction for weight reduction and prevention of metabolic diseases,” the researchers concluded. My Take Intermittent fasting works—if you actually do it. Digging deeper into the details suggests that the results were not as rosy as the press release suggests. Compliance was very good during the first 12 weeks when dieters were receiving biweekly calls from dieticians. However, at week 24 only a third of participants reported doing the two days of restriction. By the end of the 50 weeks, only about one in five participants were still fasting twice a week. Not surprisingly, the intermittent fasting group regained the most weight as the study progressed. I’m sticking to what I wrote at the end of our FAQ (11): If intermittent fasting appeals to you, give it a try. But don't expect benefits that can't be achieved eating regular meals of quality foods--and regular exercise. Sustainability is the key. No diet or exercise regimen will work if you can't stick to it. Don't defeat yourself by making it harder than it needs to be. Find a plan that you enjoy and are comfortable doing as far as you can see, hopefully for life.
I will be fasting tomorrow...for my colonoscopy on Wednesday. Never was a fan of intermittent starvation as a means to an end. Balanced diet is the true long term solution to weight and heath management. Requires practicing delayed gratification and a good deal of self discipline. We "mericans" ain't real big on that.
Better you than me! I'm not due for another one until 2022. They're now spacing them 7 years apart after negative results, whereas previously it was 5 years. I've had two already, the last one in 2015, and I can tell you that it is not the kind of treasure hunt I enjoy. Good luck!
My fourth one. They always find polyps. I also have diverticulitis so they look for wear and tear from that.
Well, good luck. And remember, making it more bearable is all in how you frame it. If it helps, imagine that you're Trump and that your doctor is NY AG James. I don't know about you, but I feel better already.
Yeah, somewhat Explains my results. Although I still suffer from nightsnackitis - my weight has barely gone down in the last 9 months. I feel like my 8pm final foods result in overeating as my body adjusts to not getting any more food for the next 17 hours. 5-6 days a week I’m fasting 16-18 hours. I don’t find it hard to not eat until 2pm. But - I did learn that when I work out on an empty stomach, at the very end of my fast, I’m way stronger than I’ve ever been. If I eat breakfast or even a snack any time before my workout, I’m more sluggish during and more hungry after the workout.
Intermitting fasting absolutely works There is no doubt and those garbage studies doesn't prove anything I don't have any weight problems but withing 8 hour window I eat whaever I want so it might or might not help but weight loss is not the main effect I'm 100% 16/8 since 2019 and the main thing is not weight loss but it lowers your insulin which is good for diabetes prevention and it prevents you cholesterol spiking plus for endurance athlete fasting teaches your body to use fat as a fuel and the last by not least after 16 hours fasting meal is much more enjoyable