Fasting has been shown to help with weight loss and losing dangerous inflammatory belly fat; it can reduce insulin levels and blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of diabetes; and it helps the brain function better by clearing out dangerous proteins, and benefiting neurons in a way that protects memory and learning.
While many people associate fasting with restricting eating for long periods of time, there are actually many styles with different timing, which can make fasting a much more approachable practice than you might think. In fact, many of you are probably already fasting without even realizing it.
The most basic kind of fast is the break taken between dinner and breakfast. Fasting during this time, which usually falls between 12 and 14 hours, falls into line with our natural circadian rhythms of when the sun is up or down.
This week on The Doctor’s Farmacy, I sit down with my friend and colleague Dr. Todd LePine and dive into the benefits fasting can have on our health and how it can support healthy aging.
Dr. LePine graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Integrative Functional Medicine. He is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Prior to joining my team at The UltraWellness Center, he worked as a physician at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, for 10 years. Dr. LePine’s goal is to help patients achieve vitality through focusing on optimal aging, bio-detoxification, functional gastrointestinal health, systemic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and the neurobiology of mood and cognitive disorders.
hi.. interesting topic.
what are mitochondrial nutrients?
thnx
I’m really interested in fasting. My metabolism is extremely high though. My naturopath said it was the highest of anyone she’s tested. I’ve lost a lot of muscle mass in the past when fasting. Though I felt the benefits of feeling cleaner, I lost way too much muscle and experienced a lot of lethargy when fasting. What would be some good options for a guy like me to try without losing muscle mass? Should I eat an extremely high amount of calories during the week and then take a day off eating?
I think most (if not all) modern diseases come down to chronic inflammation and anything that reduces inflammation goes a long way in improving health!