🦉Fasting: Mother Nature's Ozempic and Stem Cell Factory
Get faster results by fasting.
In this post, you will learn:
Why Fasting?
Your ancestors didn’t have grocery stores. They went without food for long periods and still had to continue hunting. Over time, their bodies engineered a new energy system that provided energy to keep going when they were hungry. This system uses ketones instead of carbohydrates/glucose to produce energy. Ketones, or ketone bodies, are acids your body makes when using fat instead of glucose for energy. This switching of energy system happens during fasting, and your body goes into 'ketosis'’. Your body will switch to ketosis if you’re not getting enough carbohydrates.
During ketosis, your body breaks down fats for energy, releasing ketones.
Fasting benefits:
Fasting has many other benefits, including producing natural stem cells and cellular healing.
Note: Fasting differs from the ketogenic diet, which can be restrictive and may lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially in women.
This post was inspired by Dr. Mindy Pelz's discussion on The Diary of A CEO Podcast. Dr. Mindy Pelz is a world-renowned women's health and fasting expert who is on a mission to empower women to Believe in their Bodies! Her high-profile clients include entertainer LeAnn Rimes, former race car driver Danica Patrick, and popular influencer Jesse Itzler. She is a bestselling author of Fast Like a Girl (top-selling release of 2023 from Hay House Publishing) and The Menopause Reset. She also has a podcast, “The Resetter Podcast,”
So, you must be wondering, How Long Do I Need To Fast To Switch To Fat Burning?
Some individuals may take longer, but Fasting for 12 hours is generally sufficient to switch the body from burning sugar to burning fat.
Most people understand that there is no eating during a fast, but Can You Have Liquids When Fasting?
Organic, chemical-free black coffee, teas, and water are fine during fasting. Apple cider Vinegar (ACV) is fine because it lowers blood sugar. Side note: taking ACV before and after a meal can help regulate the blood sugar spike and feed your healthy gut microbes.
The key is not to consume anything that will trigger insulin reactions or raise blood sugar. So, no artificial sweeteners and diet sodas.
Types of fasting and how to break different types of fast
Note: Take caution during fasts longer than 14 hours. Work under guidance or supervision and break the fast immediately if experiencing adverse effects. Use the resources section below to find credible sources and communities to fast safely with.
When Shouldn't Women Fast?
Women should avoid fasting during the week before their period and the week of their period.
Estrogen, dominant in the first half of a woman's cycle, promotes insulin sensitivity and benefits from fasting.
Progesterone, dominant in the second half of the cycle, requires higher glucose levels and is negatively affected by fasting.
Fasting during the progesterone-dominant phase disrupts the natural hormonal balance and can lead to problems such as infertility and increased testosterone.
Fasting during the week before menstruation can lead to loss of menstrual cycles.
Progesterone needs to peak for the uterine lining to shed and menstruation to occur. Fasting during this time may prevent progesterone from peaking, resulting in the absence of menstruation.
What fasting is not:
Fasting is not an OMAD (One Meal a Day) diet plan. OMAD doesn’t truly mimic the fast and feast model. OMAD can be hard on your metabolism and cause nutritional deficiencies.
Fasting is not a nutrition plan; it is a framework. You still need to eat clean. Focus on high protein, good fats, whole grains, veggies, fruits and fiber. Eat real food, not processed foods.
Fasting is not a two-week weight loss plan, although it can be. You will see better results once you integrate fasting safely into your lifestyle.
I have intermitted fasted for a decade and seen and felt the effects myself. I urge you to give it a shot. Use the following resource to explore further.
Resources:
Dr. Mindy Pelz Books, Website & YouTube
Dr. Jason Fung - Another leading fasting expert
Additional fasting templates:
I hope this was useful.
Much Love
PM
