Fasting & calorie restriction
Fasting versus Severe Calorie Restriction
Intermittent Fasting:
- Increased insulin sensitivity: During a fast, insulin levels decrease, which can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Increased growth hormone secretion: Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase growth hormone secretion, which can aid in fat loss and muscle gain.
- Increased autophagy: Autophagy is a process where the body breaks down and recycles old or damaged cells. Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase autophagy, which may have anti-aging benefits and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Improved cardiovascular health: Intermittent fasting can lead to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Severe Calorie Restriction:
- Slowed metabolism: Severely restricting calories can cause the body to slow down its metabolic rate to conserve energy. This can make it harder to lose weight in the long term.
- Increased hunger: Restricting calories can increase levels of hunger hormones like ghrelin, which can make it harder to stick to a diet.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Severely restricting calories can lead to nutrient deficiencies if the diet is not properly balanced, which can lead to negative health outcomes.
- Reduced energy levels: Severely restricting calories can lead to fatigue and decreased energy levels, making it harder to maintain an active lifestyle.
Overall, while both approaches may lead to weight loss, intermittent fasting may have some additional health benefits due to the metabolic and hormonal changes that occur during a fast. Severely restricting calories can have negative effects on metabolism, hunger, and energy levels, and may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.