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Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

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Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#171

Post by tasuki »

modbait wrote: post #114
kaslai wrote: post #56

I've had serious weight issues for my whole life, primarily due to my love of chocolate. As I approached 400 pounds, I took a hard look at myself and decided to make a change. For the past month (29 days now) I've been doing alternate-day fasting* where I eat about 2000-2500kcal on eat days and cap myself at about 100kcal of half-and-half with coffee on fast days (gotta get that joe). While a lot of it is no doubt no…

Good on you, buddy! One trick you might try wrt chocolate in particular: Try darker and darker chocolates. If you can get up to 90% or even 99%, you can get your chocolate hit with little in the way of sugar or calories.

Came here to say this! Dark chocolate satiates, contains very little sugar, and lots of healthy flavonoids.

I've brought lots of the Lindt 99% from my recent visit to Austria :)

Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#172

Post by samat »

wmeredith wrote: post #164
JoshMnem wrote: post #92

I've been experimenting with water fasting, intermittent fasting, and calorie restriction for over two years with good results. I gradually went from an "obese" BMI to normal, and reduced the symptoms of some medical conditions, especially after 3-5 day water fasts. I think that if one is going to restrict calories, it's a good idea to eat a high-nutrient diet. Mine is mostly vegan + fish, and based on vegetables, le…

Please note: dry fasting is incredibly dangerous and one will struggle to find non-crackpot sources that say humans should attempt it for any reason. Healthy people can survive a month or more without food. Without food AND water they last less than a handful of days.

You might be surprised, but most Muslims do dry fasting each year on Ramadan ;)

Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#173

Post by Melchizedek »

Someone1234 wrote: post #52
throwaway413 wrote: post #44

Fitting to see this during this month, as it is currently the holy month of Ramandan for Muslims, who fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days.

I wonder if any studies have looked at if Muslims who participate in Ramadan receive any measurable health benefits. Even if Ramadan is only one month of the year, that could still potentially show some benefits if there are any over a whole life time.

The Muslim way of fasting is likely not healthy (or at least not optimally healthy). Food intake should fit the body's circadian rhythm: eat during light hours, fast when it's dark. This is pretty well established.

Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#174

Post by wink »

virtuallynathan wrote: post #124

I can 100% vouch for this, roughly 90 days ago I implemented: * 16h+ intermittent fasting * increased exercise (>600kcal Apple Watch active kcal) * caloric restriction (average of 450kcal deficit). I lost 20lbs in 90 days (5ft5in 145 -> 125). I've since gone to a full ketogenic diet as an n=1 experiment. I find the research on this lacking, but fascinating -- its been a very educational experience. Based on the many…

Not eating for 16h-18h is not intermittent fasting for me, but how I've lived huge parts of my life. Lunch at noon or soon after, dinner before 8, nothing else. Didn't notice anything remotely pointing towards losing weight to a reasonable weight.

Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#175

Post by ryanworl »

leetbulb wrote: post #169
ryanworl wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Your liver glycogen and muscle glycogen will be fine. Your body can convert protein to glucose when it is needed and use ketones for everything else.

you NEVER want your body to convert protein to glucose. it's your body's last resort of energy and is very destructive.

Gluconeogenesis is not the same thing as muscle catabolism.

Re: Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting

#176

Post by throwaway413 »

Melchizedek wrote: post #173
Someone1234 wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if any studies have looked at if Muslims who participate in Ramadan receive any measurable health benefits. Even if Ramadan is only one month of the year, that could still potentially show some benefits if there are any over a whole life time.

The Muslim way of fasting is likely not healthy (or at least not optimally healthy). Food intake should fit the body's circadian rhythm: eat during light hours, fast when it's dark. This is pretty well established.

For perspective’s sake, keep in mind that this practice was established in the desert circa ~600AD and many communities were already much more active during later evening and earlier morning hours. So not exactly the same lifestyle as the modern American person.
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