Scientists Say Intermittent Fasting Is Good for Your Health

If you follow the world of fitness, nutrition and health, you must have noticed that there is a huge discussion about the so-called “intermittent fasting”. Simply speaking, it basically consists of skipping a meal (for example, breakfast), going at least 12 hours without food – water is released. Many experts defend its beneficial effects, arguing that, for example, in cave times, our ancestors would go hours — sometimes days — without getting a game. The human organism, therefore, would be fully adapted to this and would function better with the regimen.

Those who are against it say, among other things, that, by going so long without eating, the tendency is to discount everything in the next meal. Therefore, in practice one would starve unnecessarily. Now, recent research has shown the importance of skipping a few meals a day. According to her, intermittent fasting can be good for your health, helping to prevent disease and contributing to a longer and healthier life. But what actually happens to the body during intermittent fasting? Is it really good for health?

O awesome.club decided to dig deeper into this story. Based on the research, we bring more details about the benefits that this practice can offer the body in the short term.

In a recent survey published in the journal Cell, the Dr. Miriam Merad of the American Society of Clinical Investigation states that fasting can offer many benefits to the body. She proved this by carrying out a blood analysis of 12 people who decided to avoid any type of food for 19 hours.

The results of the experiment were quite revealing for the team responsible for the study. By not ingesting food for a certain time, the number of circulating monocytes (a kind of white blood cell, associated with inflammatory processes) decreases and their metabolic and inflammatory activity as well. In this sense, this situation could contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems.

Thus, the researcher came to the conclusion that limiting food consumption helps people to live a longer and healthier life.

Carbohydrate consumption stimulates insulin secretion, which led Dr. Merad examining the regulation of monocytes in the blood. The scholars realized that the proteins could modulate the number of monocytes by altering cellular energy levels.

This process helped block the production of glucose, thus decreasing the number of monocytes and controlling their distribution throughout the body. By avoiding fatty or sugary foods, it is possible to lower the risk of some diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.

Other studies confirming Dr. Merad advocate that, during fasting, we eliminate toxins accumulated during the day. Assuming that the first component to be digested is fat, during the fasting period it would be possible to eliminate some feelings of discomfort.

As mentioned earlier, fasting can prevent many diseases and bring about changes in the cells of the human body. In addition, it is possible to state that people who practice it or who restrict calories suffer less heart problems, have better cholesterol levels and have less risk of suffering a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) or diabetes.

For Dr. Merad, it is important to focus on reducing blood monocytes and adapt well to fasting, thinking about preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases without affecting antimicrobial immunity.

However, as we have already mentioned, the theory of intermittent fasting for weight loss is far from being seen as unanimous among specialists. Merad points out that anyone wanting to try a new fasting routine should consult a doctor and nutritionist first.

Do you think you could do intermittent fasting? What other alternatives do you propose for a healthier life? Share in the comments.