Intermittent Fasting and Adding More days to Life

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) is currently one of the world's most popular health and fitness trends. Several IF patterns have been studied. Not all were shown to be equally effective. Also, each person's experience of intermittent fasting is individual, and different styles will suit different people. The potential health benefit list of IF is long: accelerated weight loss, reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol, longer lifespan, blood sugar stabilization, and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Emerging research suggests IF may also lead to a healthier brain, longer life, and even aid cancer treatment. Placing time restrictions on feeding has been shown to have broad systemic effects and trigger similar biological pathways as caloric restriction. One key mechanism responsible for many of these beneficial effects appears to be "flipping" of the metabolic switch. The metabolic switch typically occurs in the third phase of fasting when glycogen stores in hepatocytes are depleted and accelerated adipose tissue lipolysis produces increased fatty acids and glycerol. Just changing the timing of meals, by eating earlier in the day and extending the overnight fast, significantly benefited metabolism even in people who didn't lose a single pound.

Scientific Evidences of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting for Neuroprotection in Traumatic Brain Injury Animal Models: A Review of the Literature

“…Researchers have therefore been looking for alternative FR regimens that can provide similar benefits. One of these regimens is intermittent fasting (IF), and it has recently become a popular trend and lifestyle [ 17 ]. IF refers to cycles of fasting and intermittent feeding window over a given time schedule [ 2 , 16 , 18 ].…”

Arts and Science of Athletic Performance- Short Communication

“…According to Pons et.al, 2018 caloric restriction (CR) improves athletes' performance and energy efficiency but should be implemented with micronutrient supplementation during CR programs [7]. Altering body composition in such a manner may be advantageous to the athlete for various biomechanical, aesthetic, and locomotive reasons, thereby increasing the likelihood of competitive success in a target weight-class (e.g., com bat sports, weight lifting), weight-sensitive sports (e.g., endurance events, ski jumping), or aesthetically judged sports (e.g., gymnastics and bodybuilding) [8]. Training is the predominant demand in the athletic lifestyle.…”