INTERMITTENT FASTING: 7 FALSE MYTHS

There are many Hollywood icons who practice intermittent fasting, such as Jennifer Aniston and Halle Berry. But what is intermittent fasting? It is a dietary strategy in which a period of feeding is intentionally alternated with a period of fasting. You do this already when you sleep, but intermittent fasting tends to widen your normal fasting window by lengthening the part of the day or alternating fasting days with feeding days during the week.

There are different approaches and above all, there are different false myths. First of all, DIY is not worth it. You have to be followed by an expert. Keep reading to discover seven false myths linked to intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting and false myths

• It is miraculous to lose weight. True and False. Intermittent fasting can be used to facilitate weight loss, however, it is not a guaranteed result. Achieving an overall calorie deficit, consuming fewer calories than those that your body burns, is what produces weight loss. Therefore, if you consume more calories than those that your body burns in the meal window, you will not see a weight decrease. 

• All intermittent fasts are the same. False. There are different types of intermittent fasting plans. The different forms of fasting are not the same, partly because some are easier than others, but also because some phases adapt better to the natural circadian rhythm of our body, thus lowering insulin levels, increasing the hormones burning fat and decreasing appetite. Read the article at this link to find out about different types of fasting.

• Does not mean to skip breakfast. Many people who follow this diet tend to schedule windows to eat later during the day, which allows greater flexibility and to manage hunger and cravings.

• You can eat whatever you want during the meal window. No. The meal window is not a time to binge or recover lost food opportunities, it is a time to have a well-balanced diet. 

• Intermittent fasting slows down the metabolism. False. In contrast, fasting, when it is done for short intervals of time, such as 16:8, has been shown to actually increase metabolism and improve its adaptability. If the body does not receive food, it obviously cannot drop the metabolism to zero. It must obviously burn calories to stay alive. Some hormones make it possible to switch from the energy source of sugars to that of fats. During intermittent fasting, the body does not reduce the basic metabolism and begins to take nourishment from fat reserves.

• You should also limit your water intake. No, it is false. Restricting water is not a good idea, rather you must consume all that you feel the need.

• It causes a dangerous lowering of blood sugar. Our body has many mechanisms to keep blood sugar levels monitored. During intermittent fasting, it takes glycogen from the liver and transforms it into glucose to be put into circulation. What happens when the glycogen reserves run out? The body takes glycerol from fats, then inside the liver through the process called "glucogenesis" turns glycerol into glucose and puts it into the bloodstream. It means that the sugar level does not drop dangerously during fasting. Obviously clinical or particular cases are another matter.

Among the different types of fasting, we offer you the possibility to follow a fasting without giving up food. How is it possible? With the Fasting Mimicking Diet® that nourishes your body while supporting overall health. Book now your free nutritional consultation with our nutrition coach and buy your ProLon® kit.