Intermittent fasting has become a popular dietary strategy in the United States over the past few years. If you’re looking to try something new to help lose weight,  Dr. Croland and his team at Learn2Lose offer many options for healthy weight loss in the Charlotte, NC region.

What is Intermittent Fasting (IF)?

IF is a way of eating which alternates between periods of fasting and normal eating. There are a several different ways in which people use IF. The most popular method of intermittent fasting is the 16/8 method, which involves eating during an eight-hour window followed by fasting for 16 hours (which can include sleep).  Some people follow the “eat-stop-eat” method of intermittent fasting, which involves two 24 hour periods of fasting each week. Others may follow the “5:2” method, which involves eating your typical calorie intake 5 days a week but restricting calories to 500-600 daily on two select days.

How Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Lose Weight

One advantage of IF is helps cut calories, which in-turn can help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Those who follow IF can usually cut more  calories from their diet than those on a “traditional” diet. This can help to speed up your weight loss as well.

Other Potential Health Benefits

In addition to helping you lose weight, IF has also been shown to help the body better regulate blood-glucose related hormone levels, repair cells, and even boost your immunity. Some studies have also shown that intermittent fasting can help to reduce inflammation in the body and boost the body’s natural response to oxidative stress. This, in turn, aids in protecting against any number of age-related diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even certain types of cancer.

IF may also help  people who follow a ketogenic diet by making it easier to jump-start ketosis.

IF may not be practical for everyone, but for those who want to lose weight and understand how to safely follow an intermittent fasting method, it can certainly be worth a try. For more information on intermittent fasting and how it could benefit your health, contact Dr. Croland and his team at Learn2Lose today.