Every week it seems there is a new study on how the obese can finally lose weight. Short of surgery, diet, and exercise seem to be the only effective way to lose those stubborn pounds. The problem is that it is difficult to stick to any kind of calorie restricted diet long term. The latest study promises hope for those who are obese because it allows dieters to stick to a diet long term by restricting calories through fasting.
The best part is that dieters can use Intermittent Fasting to lose weight and avoid losing muscle at the same time. Not only can fasting prevent muscle loss, but it also offers multiple health benefits as well.
The parameters of the study
Medical News Today reported that two of the health benefits of prolonged fasting is that it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Other studies show that it increases insulin sensitivity and can even protect the nerve cells against certain types of damage. Other benefits may include reducing the risk of age-related diseases and slow aging as well.
Hoon-Ki Sung — of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada led a research team to discover how intermittent fasting could provide health benefits and help the obese lose weight. The study was published in the journal Cell Research and discussed the roles of white and brown fat as well. Body shape also influences weight, and with it potential threats. It's important to know your body type so that you can avoid the health problems each body type brings.
Why intermittent fasting is effective
Men's Fitness reported that the new study showed that intermittent fasting could spur fat loss and boost metabolism. There are different ways to approach the fast, from a once a week pause to fasting during the day for religious reasons.
Scientists are trying to determine the best way to fast to lose weight. The study was conducted over a 16 week period and put mice on an intermittent fasting program. The mice were allowed to normally eat for two days and then went without food for a whole day.
The control group ate the same amount of calories, but the calories were spread over the three day period. At the end of the study, the mice who fasted had a lower body weight than mice in the control group. The mice also had more brown fat and less white fat while having more constant glucose and insulin levels. Habits can also influence weight loss and maintain weight and dieters should look carefully at their habits as they play an important part in the long-term fat loss.