What is intermittent fasting and do you recommend it?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. The more frequently you consume food in a day, the more frequently your body will experience an insulin surge. Different foods lead to different levels of insulin elevation and glucose spikes, and constant or frequent rise in insulin levels can lead to your body storing excess fat.

The primary benefit of intermittent fasting is that when you don’t eat for 10–16 hours, your body fulfills its energy requirements by drawing from stored fatty deposits, thereby reducing them. In the process, fatty acids called ketones are released into the bloodstream. In this way, when done under the supervision of a qualified and experienced clinical dietician or nutritionist it can be an effective way to lose weight.

Your GeneClinicX coach will take a holistic view of your dietary habits, exercise and sleep patterns, stressors, blood glucose levels, and your body's response to frequent meals before recommending any type of fasting, including intermittent fasting, if deemed advisable.

If you are on medication for diabetes please do not begin a program of intermittent or any other type of fasting before discussing the matter with your doctor.

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This study reviews the role of intermittent fasting in the treatment of diabetes:

Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians