If you are like many seniors, you are likely experiencing some of the unpleasant effects of aging.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help slow down aging, like watching what you eat.
Intermittent Fasting, or IF, isn’t a diet.
It is an approach to eating that has a wide variety of anti-aging benefits. Instead of dictating what you can eat, IF adjusts when you can eat. If you are looking for a new lifestyle, a way to improve your overall health, or lose weight, IF eating may help you reach those goals.
Here are just a few of the benefits of IF:
Brain Boost
Diseases that impact your brain, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, can be devastating. However, scientists believe that intermittent fasting may help prevent many of these diseases an disorders.
This happens because IF may restore the polarity of aquaporin-4 which plays a role in removing amyloid-β, a peptide that is believed to lead to Alzheimer’s.
Cognitive Function Improvement
A study of older adults showed an improvement in cognition, including calculations, memory, and conceptual thinking when they practiced IF.
So if you are trying to keep your mind sharp and feel more alert, IF may be an option.
Healthy Gut Microbiome
We all know that your gut flora can play a role in your health. IF has been shown to support the beneficial bacteria in your digestive system.
Weight Management
If you are struggling to drop a few pounds, IF is a great way to lose weight. When you fast, your blood sugar drops, your body enters ketosis, and your body starts storing fat stores. Overtime this helps you lose harmful visceral fat.
How to Use IF
There are a variety of approaches for practicing IF and you can choose which method is right for you based on your individual needs:
- 16:8 Method – Fast for 16 hours and eat inside an 8 hour window each day.
- 5:2 Plan – Eat five days a week and restrict your caloric intake two days a week. On the calorie restricting days, shoot for 500 calories if you are female and 600 if you’re a male.
- Alternate Fasting – Fast every other day. On fasting days fast for 24 hours or restrict your caloric intake to a few hundred calories.
- Warrior Diet – With this method, you fast for 20 hours followed by a four hour eating time.
IF Concerns
Intermittent fasting isn’t always right for everyone.
If you have past or present issues with eating disorders, are breastfeeding or pregnant, are underweight, or have health issues that are being monitored by your doctor, be sure to ask your doctor if IF is a good option for you.
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