Three key ways to know if intermittent fasting is right for you
If you're looking to jumpstart your eye wellness journey in a big way, intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular option. Intermittent fasting has many potential benefits, including weight loss and improved metabolism - but it's not right for everyone. Before making the plunge into this intense lifestyle shift, it's best to do some research and decide if it would be a good fit for you. In this blog post we'll look at three key indicators that will help you determine whether or not intermittent fasting is the right choice for you, or if you should wait until later. Here are three key factors to consider:
1. Wide swings in blood sugar
Going really abruptly from a standard western diet (that is causing your blood sugar to spike and crash throughout the day) and IF could make it more difficult that you bargained for. You may know you have a tendency for high or low blood sugar by symptoms alone: such as fatigue, cognitive issues (like brain fog), or changes in heart rate after eating. These could be delayed by 20 minutes or even 1 to 2 hours after eating. A few weeks to a month on a nutrition plan that stabilizes blood sugar can go a long way in boosting the success of an IF regimen.
2. Stress or Inconsistent sleep schedule
Cortisol and melatonin are the sleep/wake hormones. Cortisol also plays a crucial role in blood sugar regulation. It stimulates glucose production in the liver and reduces glucose utilization in muscles and fat tissue. In individuals with chronic stress or inconsistent sleep schedules, dysregulated production of cortisol can lead to insulin resistance and impair the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels. This effects how your body responds to fasting. So although it's possible you'd reap the benefits, but initially it could exacerbate the sleep issues. So we recommend getting this on better footing before starting IF.
3. No support
Have an outlet set up for support in the form of a nutritionist or nutrition trained practitioner to make sure you do an IF plan safely to monitor for complications. This may include important principles like fitting the same nutrient density into your eating window and increasing hydration, but also involves subtleties like understanding the implications of reactions and taking the right vitamins and supplements to support your IF goals.
In conclusion, Intermittent fasting is a great tool for those looking to improve their eye & cellular health, but first it's important to identify that you're truly ready for the challenge. Considering the three points laid out in this post –plus listening to your body and speaking with a nutrition professional – should make it easier to determine if you're ready to take on the challenge.
Perhaps now is the time to give this incredible lifestyle choice a try as part of your journey for more comfortable and healthier eyes. If you'd like more information on how our nutrition program incorporates intermittent fasting, please learn more about us today and speak with one of our team members. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you begin your journey towards improved health, the results will make all the hard work truly worth it.