Want to become more effective at work? Increase focus and cognitive ability - how about fasting?
Advocates of intermittent fasting (alternating between periods of eating and non-eating) claim the following benefits accrue:
- Heightened sense of awareness (similar to having undertaken physical
excercise) - Greater sense of wellbeing
- Increased mental agility
- Better focus
- Greater productivity
The theory behind the growing body of science is that with intermittent fasting people feel better when burning body fat for energy instead of carbohydrates (ketosis). Evidence suggests:
- Metabolic rate is improved
- Insulin resistance is improved
- Improved symptoms in patients with medical conditions (eg cancer and
auto-immune diseases) - Reduced body fat
When we stop eating the body still needs energy to function so starts to resorts to its own built in energy store.
Stage 1 is glycosis - the body using glucose as an energy source (the liver typically has 100g of glucose stored which will be used up after about 16-24 hours)
Stage 2 is ketosis - When the glucose is used up the body turns to ketone bodies (fats) to burn for energy. Ketosis assists in the breakdown of aged body cells (autophage) and so is thought to assist longevity. Neuron growth is thought to be accelerated.
Studies on animal models have found that enforced fasting can increase longevity by 10-30%.
Wefast is a hub and community dedicated to exploring, sharing and promoting the experience and effects of intermittent fasting. Their suggested starter schedule for beginners is the Monk Fast which is a continuous 36 hour water fast. They recommend you drink plenty of water but lay off caffeine.
Monks Fast
- End your first day with a typical dinner.
- Fast the entire day
- Breakfast
This method is recommended by Wefast as it only requires 2 days of discipline rather than a lifetime of calorie control.
For us lesser mortals lacking in willpower and dedication there is the Warrior Diet which consists of night time eating only.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrior_diet
image - PixabaySource - https://wefa.st/
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I've been trying intermittent fasting for a couple of months now. Eighteen hours of fast, every day, then eating within a six-hour window. I get a few hunger pangs each morning, but apart from that it's been remarkably easy. I've lost 5kg (11 lbs) already, and feel pretty good. I'm not sure that I've seen any improvement in my productivity though.
I've lost my sugar craving completely, which I find astonishing! And my food bill has dropped by half.
Sounds like fasting is suiting you..Think most of us eat out of habit and are scared of stepping out of the comfort zone. when i have tried fasting I have found it much easier than expected.