Intermittent fasting or fasting is the subject of much ink. But what are the effects on the body. What are the desired benefits? How does the body react to starvation? Is it ultimately good or bad for your health?

Definition of intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting or intermittent or intermittent fasting is a food mode that consists of alternating periods of fasting (food deprivation but sometimes also water restrictions!) And periods of normal eating.

What are the benefits?
Fans know it well, intermittent fasting is a quick way to lose weight in the short term, especially body fat. In the long term, better regulation of appetite, good life expectancy, prevention of certain chronic and degenerative diseases that cannot be refused, but also better cognitive performance. Let us not forget all the same that at the base, intermittent fasting was mainly followed for religious reasons like Ramadan for example.

How does the body react to starvation?
When the body is starved of food for a relatively long period of time, more than 12 hours, the level of insulin in the blood drops. The latter plays a major role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. At the same time as this drop in insulin secretion, the secretion of growth hormone increases, resulting in the release of fatty acids into the bloodstream, resulting in a loss of fatty mass. Weight loss guaranteed, but is this a sufficient reason to practice it in the long term?

Side Effects
Intermittent fasting doesn’t just have benefits. Undesirable effects too because there are some! First and foremost, dehydration. But also a state of drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep, a little irritability. Where the shoe pinches: possible fat storage and there it goes against the desired effect. Indeed, the alternation of food consumption then deprivation is not desirable. Unpleasant side: the bad breath (halitosis) that this fast causes!

What health risks ?
We must not overlook the warnings of observing intermittent fasting. It can lead to muscle wasting and pose a risk to people with heart problems. Not to mention the risk of imbalance in eating behavior. In fact, during a period of normal eating, food consumption is based on foods rich in sugars, fats and sometimes in large quantities. The reverse can also be observed with a reduction in intake during normal periods.

Contraindications of intermittent fasting
Do you have a cardiac pathology, you are diabetic, you follow a drug treatment at fixed times…? Take the advice of your doctor. It is imperative to be followed by a professional nutrition when you want to follow this type of diet.

Precautions to take before
Get a blood test before starting this type of program. You must be in good health because this type of diet can lead to deficiencies!

Dietitian’s advice
In some people, starvation can cause such frustration that eating on the next meal can get out of hand. Such a program requires knowledge of your body, good nutritional monitoring. To be followed only on the short term coupled with a physical activity but it risks causing a great metabolic imbalance if it is followed over the long term!