Intermittent fasting (IF) has been a popular topic of debate recently. It is a strategy for dieting and weight loss. The benefits of intermittent fasting are plentiful, but what about intermittent fasting’s effects on our gut health? Does it help get rid of bad bacteria in the gut? Read on to learn more about IF and gut health.
What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Table of Contents
Fasting can help you lose weight. Intermittent fasting is a dietary method in which a person cycles between periods of eating and times of abstinence from food.
People can utilize intermittent fasting differently and at any time during the day. Still, the most popular version of intermittent fasting is eating for six hours each day, 12 to 14 hours total, with no food. However, before you proceed with any diet, it is imperative that you do careful research. healthcanal.com is an ideal place to start with as it is known to provide useful knowledge about health and eating lifestyles from medical professionals.
Is It Effective?
The goal of Intermittent Fasting is to cause the insulin levels to go down. When we eat, our insulin levels rise, and fat cells fill up with sugar. If we don’t snack, our insulin levels will drop after each meal, and fat cells will release their accumulated sugar, allowing it to be used as energy. We lose weight if our insulin levels fall significantly.
The Impact of Intermittent Fasting on Gut Health
The human body is a complex system of organs and systems that work together to keep us healthy. The first step in this process begins with the digestive tract, which breaks down food into molecules small enough for absorption by cells throughout our bodies or excreted as waste products.
If you have an impaired gut bacteria population due to either disease or lack thereof, then there’s likely not only something wrong with how your stomach uses nutrients but also what they will send out throughout these channels. It sometimes leads to even more serious issues.
Fasting may help protect the good bacteria in your gut microbiome. And if you’re fasting, those good bacteria can work to keep harmful substances out while also providing protection for other parts of our body.
Fasting can help your immune system fight illness. It has been shown to boost white blood cell counts in people who fast, which suggests that fasting could be an effective way of fighting infection as well.
The gut microbiome is a complex web-like system that’s made up of bacteria. Studies have shown intermittent fasting can change the makeup of this microscopic colony, increasing beneficial microbes associated with decreased intestinal inflammation and improving your health overall.
How Can Improve Gut Health With Intermittent Fasting?
Start small and modify
When it comes to fasting, the best time for your body is during a 12-13 hours window. You should fast and allow food digestion before bed in this span of hours so that hunger cues will kick in when waking up the next day. For instance, 8 AM to 8 PM. As your body adjusts, you may slowly modify your fasting time.
You can start by adding one or two days, approximately 14 and 16 hours. Monitor your consumption on these days to ensure you’re receiving adequate calories and macronutrients. Increase your eating window if you aren’t fulfilling your calorie and nutrient requirements.
Follow your bodily needs
The sixteen-plus-hour fast is the best for some, but others may not benefit from such a long break. Listen to your hunger cues and continue tracking calories when on an extended fast.
Everyone must listen closely to what their body needs to get through an entire day without consuming food or liquids whatsoever. If you feel like you’re not getting the appropriate amount of nutrients, modify your diet. You may need to ask your doctor for nutritional supplements.
Ask for medical assistance
With the rise in obesity, diabetes, and other health problems associated with a high-calorie intake, it is important to consider your diet. Be sure you speak with an experienced professional before adding extended fasting into any routine, as this may not be suitable for everyone who needs medication or has sports injuries.
Are there any drawbacks to intermittent fasting?
The rise in the popularity of intermittent fasting has led to an increase in reported side effects, including hormonal imbalances. Those who already lead active lifestyles or are leaner individuals before beginning this type of eating plan may suffer from it as well because their bodies will be under more stress when they fast. Their body needs energy sources following an active lifestyle.
Conclusion
The research on the relationship between intermittent fasting and gut health is not conclusive. Some studies show that it can be beneficial to your digestive system, while others suggest it differently. We recommend consulting a doctor before starting an intermittent fasting regimen if you have any medical conditions or are pregnant.
