Key Pointers
- Intermittent fasting shocks circadian rhythm to boost natural demand of NAD+ supply.
- Hormonal levels of the body change with more consumption of stored body fats.
- Helps to live a healthier and longer life by minimizing the risk of liver diseases and carcinoma.
Even though fasting has been practiced throughout the world for religious and spiritual affairs and health benefits, it generally involves a period of fasting followed by a period of eating cycle. Most commonly, an intermittent fasting plan usually includes fasting twice a week for a period of 16 to 22 hours.
Intermittent fasting has shown a tremendous rise in levels of sirtuins; the protein involved in restricting the aging process. It can also lead to restriction in the amount of daily calorie consumption. This sends the counterproductive shock signals to the circadian rhythm to naturally boost the supply of NAD+ circulating cofactor for maintaining various metabolic processes.
This method allows the Gastrointestinal tract to repair and rest for a bit longer duration than normal, eventually leading to a decline in insulin levels, which triggers the use of stored fat cells and the release of glucose as stored energy. Intermittent fasting may also help in weight reduction by depleting the number of stored fats in our bodies.
During Intermittent fasting, the levels of insulin drop significantly which helps in fat burning. The scientific study has confirmed that human growth hormone levels rise dramatically during fasting, promoting muscle endurance, fat loss, and various other benefits. The intracellular processes increase which includes cell repair and waste material removal from the cells.
According to scientific literature, nearly 3-8% of weight reduction can be achieved by intermittent fasting for 3-24 weeks. The regime helps in losing visceral fat which is the most harmful fat found usually within the abdominal cavity and causes various diseases. Furthermore, the level of norepinephrine also increases during intermittent fasting, eventually leading to fat breakdown for obtaining energy.
Intermittent fasting plays a vital role in reducing the growth of abnormal tumor cells. It also mimics the harmful side effects of chemotherapy in diagnosed cases of carcinomas. One of the best effects of intermittent fasting is its ability to raise quality lifespan. A recent study of the animal models has proven that more than 83% of rats that fasted were able to live longer as compared to rats who did not fast.
It has been observed that the effect of intermittent fasting on the liver is positive, as it decreases chances of hepatocellular carcinoma and fatty liver. Intermittent fasting reduces the possibility of fatty liver by the process of gluconeogenesis in the liver by using stored fat cells.
According to the research study, during intermittent fasting, the sirtuins family proteins are activated which plays an active role in antioxidant defense, slowing down the tumor growth shifting the cellular metabolism to an alternative pathway that is less prone to oxidative stress.
Conclusion
To conclude, intermittent fasting is a profound method of losing weight, increasing lifespan, and increasing the body's resistance to fight against harmful pathogens. It can also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, reduce the chances of developing chronic diseases, and positively affect the liver by promoting fat cell degradations through metabolic pathways.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525320/pdf/nihms664386.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S193152441400200X
- https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(15)00224-7