How to Use the World’s Drug-Free “Wonder Drug”

By Kelley Herring

There is a lot of misinformation when it comes to “conventional” health and dietary advice. For example, conventional wisdom tells us that “Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day”. But the truth is that this bit of advice did not come from a scientific study. Instead, the origin was a 1944 marketing campaign by General Foods for the purposes of selling more cereal!

Conventional wisdom also tells us to “eat three square meals” a day. And to eat snacks in between meals to keep energy levels up and prevent “slowing your metabolism”. We’ve even been told that skipping meals can be harmful to our health.

The evidence against this cycle of continuous consumption is all around us, as overwhelming rates of chronic disease and obesity are the norm.

The truth is that humans were never meant to eat three scheduled meals (with snacks in between). Our ancestors ate when food was available and when it was acquired through toil and effort. We adapted the ability to function at a high level during extended periods without food. This was fundamentally important in our evolutionary history – and it is hardwired into your physiology.

Today, you will discover:

• The “feast and fast” method followed by our ancestors

• 12 powerful health benefits of intermittent fasting

• The ideal length for fasting to achieve optimal benefits, plus

• Important considerations to take into account if you’re a woman

Conquer Cravings, Create Vibrant Health & Master Your Metabolism the Ancestral Way

If you follow the health headlines, you already know that intermittent fasting (IF) has become one of the latest “biohacks” that promises to help you shed those stubborn pounds.

Instead of counting calories, measuring macros or focusing on specific foods, the focus of intermittent fasting is on when (and when not) to eat. By creating designated windows for “eating” and “fasting” metabolic processes are optimized, leading to weight loss.

And this modern way of eating is fully aligned with how our ancestors ate, simply out of necessity.

Sometimes food was plentiful and bellies were full. Other times, food was scarce and we had to rely on body fat and stored glycogen for fuel. And, of course, with no refrigeration most food was gathered or hunted and consumed on the same day – with nothing to eat until that important work was done.

But research shows that the benefits of IF go far beyond weight loss…

In fact, fasting is like a complete overhaul for your metabolic machinery, impacting all your organ systems, cells and biochemistry!

Renew & Regenerate Your Body with Fasting

Studies show that periodic fasting is one of the most effective ways to:

1. Regulate blood sugarⁱ
2. Reverse insulin resistanceⁱⁱ
3. Restore sensitivity to leptin (a hormone which helps control hunger and energy metabolism)ⁱⁱⁱ
4. Prevent cancer^iv,v
5. Protect the brain^vi
6. Protect the heart^vii
7. Reduce risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s^viii
8. Promote stem cell regeneration^ix
9. Reduce inflammation^x,xi
10. Improve immunity and reverse autoimmunity^xii,xiii
11. Calm digestive distress and promote a healthy microbiome^xiv
12. Reduce bone loss^xv

With a laundry list that encompasses our most pressing health concerns of today, it is fair to say that fasting is truly “The World’s Drug-Free Wonder Drug”!

But how long must you fast to attain these incredible health benefits?

The Food-Free Zone: How Long Should You Fast?

The most popular cadence for intermittent fasting is 16/8. That is 16 hours of fasting followed by an eight-hour window in which food can be consumed. Others follow 20/4 or 22/6 fasting and feeding windows. And all of these have been shown to offer benefits.

In fact, researchers at the University of Illinois conducted the first human clinical trial of its kind to compare the effects of 20/4 and 22/6 fasting on body weight, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

Study participants were divided into two groups. The 20/4 group was instructed to eat between the hours of 1 pm and 5 pm. Participants in the 22/6 were asked to eat between the hours of 1 pm and 7 pm. In both groups, the participants were allowed to eat whatever they wanted – as long as it was confined to their specific eating window. During the fasting hours, participants drank water or calorie-free beverages only.

The researchers followed the participants for 10 weeks, tracking their weight, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, blood pressure, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.

They discovered that both groups reduced calorie intake by an average of 550 calories each day, compared to their pre-study averages. The subjects also lost 3% of their body weight on average. They also found that insulin resistance and oxidative stress markers were reduced in both groups. And there was no difference in weight loss or cardiometabolic factors between the two groups.^xvi

Dr. Krista Varady, PhD, one of the lead authors on the study says that, “It’s telling that there was no added weight loss benefit for people who sustained a longer fast.”

So, longer fasts are not necessarily better. But what about the different effects of fasting between men and women?

Fasting Safely for Women: Key Considerations

Intermittent fasting can provide amazing benefits for men and women alike. However, some research shows that women are more sensitive to the negative effects of fasting.

For example, a study published in Obesity Research found that alternate-day fasting can actually worsen glucose tolerance in women… while it improves this measure in men.^xvii

The reason: Hormones.

You see, the hormones that regulate the monthly cycle in females are heavily influenced by food and glucose.^xviii Prolonged fasting can lead to menstrual irregularity (including a complete loss of menstruation) for some women, as well as reduced bone density.^xix

Now, this does not mean that women cannot fast safely and enjoy the numerous health benefits! It just means women need to pay attention to how they feel while fasting and start slowly. Here are a few tips:

• Start with shorter fasts (10-12 hours), a few days per week. Work up to 16 hours of fasting a few days a week. If that goes well, consider fasting more days per week.

• Work with a health care practitioner to evaluate your fasting regimen. If you already have hormone or thyroid issues, it is important to keep an eye on those markers.

• Do not fast if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding
  
  

During your fast, take note of how you feel. How is your body is responding? Pay attention to your energy levels and sleep quality. Worsening PMS, late or long periods, mood swings, headaches and difficulty concentrating are signs that your body is under too much stress, and fasting should be reduced.^xx,xxi

It’s also important to discuss intermittent fasting with your health care practitioner if you have ever had an eating disorder, are underweight, suffer from Celiac disease or Crohn’s (which are linked to nutrient deficiencies), or if you have ever been diagnosed with diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), thyroid or adrenal disease.

The Yin & Yang of Fasting & Feasting

Fasting is a powerful “nutritional” tool that can bring about real and rapid change in your body and your health.

It’s important to remember that intermittent fasting is NOT a diet. Ensure that you are eating enough during your “eating window” by filling your plate with nutrient-dense, whole foods, including grass-fed beef, organ meats, wild seafood, pastured pork and poultry, farm-fresh eggs, raw dairy and above ground veggies.

References

i Varady KA, Hellerstein MK. Alternate-day fasting and chronic disease prevention: a review of human and animal trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86:7–13.