Fasting Helps Manage the Camel Effect That Can Hinder Weight Loss

Very low calorie diets or prolonged periods with low caloric intake can cause physiological changes that can cause the body to adapt to the restriction and therefore prevent further weight loss due to the camel effect. With intermittent fasting, you cycle between a low calorie levels and normal eating. To lose weight with an intermittent fasting protocol, the foods you eat should be healthy whole foods that are consumed at consistent intervals. According to research published in the journal Obesity Reviews, intermittent fasting is less likely to cause muscle loss than a diet based on continuous calorie restriction.

• Plant-Based Fasting - The Fast-Mimicking Diet create at the USC Longevity Institute involves consuming small amounts of food while still reaping the benefits of fasting based on the selection of foods consumed.
• 24-Hour Plus Fasting - According to a study in Nutrition Reviews, alternate-day fasting and whole-day fasts were shown to not only reduced body fat but also cholesterol and triglycerides in study participants that were overweight.
• "Just Say No" Fasts - With spontaneous meal skipping, you do not need to follow a structured schedule to reap the benefits. Simply skip meals from time to time, especially when you don't feel hungry or are too busy to stop and eat.
• Time-Restricted Eating - Fasting for half a day and eating unrestricted for half a day during a set time frame is one of the simplest methods to follow for a beginner.

With so many people searching for effective ways to shed unwanted pounds, intermittent fasting has become a popular eating pattern where an individual cycles between periods of feasting and fasting. Unlike many fad diets, fasting is backed by scientific research that has concluded intermittent fasting to be just as effective as low-calorie diets and sometimes more effective at improving body composition. Getting started on a fast involves splitting your day or week into two periods: eating periods and restricted periods. During a fasting period, you eat nothing or very little. For personalized menus for your feasting period, contact Metabolic Research Center.

*NOTE: Due to a difference in hormonal makeup, women have special considerations when fasting. Intermittent fasting is not a good idea for women under 18 years of age, those with a lean body profile, or those with medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or a history of eating disorders. Ask your physician about an appropriate fasting protocol for you.