Myth: Intermittent Fasting is a Good Way to Lose Weight
In recent years, you may have heard of the term « intermittent fasting » as a popular form of eating that involves limiting your eating to a specific timeframe. Little did we know, this practice has been around for centuries. Depending on the type, a fast can last anywhere between 12 to over 24 hours and as in turn, reduce your overall caloric intake.
Whether it’s for religious reasons, cultural reasons or simply out of curiosity, intermittent fasting has shown to be linked to certain health benefits such as short term weight loss. However, as with any restrictive type of diet, long-term weight loss is not among its proven effects.
Let’s find out why.
The science of dieting
As we’ve all probably heard by now, it is important to remind ourselves that there is no single magical weight loss diet. While intermittent fasting does have its benefits, it is ultimately a restrictive diet like any other, otherwise meaning that it is not an effective long-term weight loss solution.
By reducing your caloric intake or by fasting, your body goes into starvation-mode. As a result, it uses less energy to fulfill its daily needs. Therefore, once you start eating normally again, your body will continue to rely on lower levels of energy to fulfill its needs, but will also start stocking up on excess energy in order to survive the next starvation. In other words, intermittent fasting can cause you to gain more weight once you start eating normally again.
Intermittent fasting is not easy. Not only can it make you feel hungry and uncomfortable, it can also increase your risk of dehydration, make you weak and dizzy, and eventually, lose muscle mass.
The benefits of fasting
Overnight fasts are a daily occurrence for nearly everyone. Along with sleep, this break for your digestive system is necessary in order to allow your body to properly prepare for the next day of eating.
The health benefits of intermittent fasting are to this day still unclear. Some studies have shown a link between intermittent fasting and improving inflammation-related conditions such as asthma and arthritis. However, unlike what the Internet may suggest, there are no specific recommendations for intermittent fasting to date and there is no evidence associating intermittent fasting with a reduced risk of chronic illness (i.e. diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease)
Bottom line: Diets are not the answer!
Before attempting a new weight loss diet or program, you should always speak with a registered dietitian beforehand to get the best advice. He/she/they will be able to give you nutritional advice and guidance to meet with your specific needs, goals and lifestyle in mind.
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