There are various methods used to control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Intermittent fasting is among the increasingly popular dieting strategies for healthy living and weight loss.
In addition to weight loss, the diet has other benefits such as reducing the risk of developing some lifestyle conditions such as excessive blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Intermittent fasting describes a variety of eating patterns that involve alternating periods of fasting, that is abstinence from foods and periods of eating. Intermittent fasting to control cholesterol levels has the most benefits when done daily and for periods of above 12 hours. However, in some instances, a fasting period of a minimum of 16 hours is required for it to be effective to control cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The process of intermittent fasting to control cholesterol levels works as follows. After around 12-36 hours of uninterrupted fasting, the glycogen stores in the liver are utilized by the body and they become depleted. This causes an altering of the metabolic processes resulting in positive health effects.
Benefits of using intermittent fasting to control cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Improves your cholesterol levels
Intermittent fasting causes favorable changes in your cholesterol. It has the potential to reduce the levels of total cholesterol. It also causes a reduction in the levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) and an increase in the levels of HDL cholesterol (often referred to as “good” cholesterol). This is important because if you have elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels, you are exposed to a higher risk of getting heart disease.
Controls your Blood sugar levels.
Intermittent fasting is known to improve your blood sugar control. This is achieved by reducing your insulin resistance instead of increasing your insulin sensitivity. This in turn leads to lower levels of fasting blood sugar as well as lower levels of glycated hemoglobin — HbA1c.
As a matter of fact, experimental research involving two adult males with type 2 diabetes, showed that intermittent fasting has the potential for use as a therapeutic approach to reducing the need for insulin therapy.
Changes in the composition of your body.
Among the most common effects of intermittent fasting are changes in your body weight and composition. Findings from various studies have shown a loss of about 3-7% of the body weight after eight weeks of intermittent fasting. They also showed that intermittent fasting can be used in fat loss.
