Intermittent fasting (IF) over the last decade or so has become very forefront with its popularity in health benefits. Many studies and scientific research highlight many benefits as, weight loss, improved metabolic health and other advantages. From celebrities, bloggers, influencers and media coverage it became very trendy and the thing to do. But with anything there are always questions and suspicions.
Over a long enough period of time is when we start to get a clear picture on the data and if things are working or not. Just recently, as very interesting research presentation took place on some surprising findings on intermittent fasting/time restrictive eating, as noted:
An analysis of over 20,000 U.S. adults found that people who limited their eating across less than 8 hours per day, a time-restricted eating plan, were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to people who ate across 12-16 hours per day, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention|Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, March 18- 21, in Chicago. The meeting offers the latest science on population-based health and wellness and implications for lifestyle.
The analysis found:
- People who followed a pattern of eating all of their food across less than 8 hours per day had a 91% higher risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.
- The increased risk of cardiovascular death was also seen in people living with heart disease or cancer.
- Among people with existing cardiovascular disease, an eating duration of no less than 8 but less than 10 hours per day was also associated with a 66% higher risk of death from heart disease or stroke.
- Time-restricted eating did not reduce the overall risk of death from any cause.
- An eating duration of more than 16 hours per day was associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality among people with cancer.
Ultimately there are reasons to why we do what we do, it maybe for religious, medical or personal reasons. Trends and fads are popular because they will usually yield some results, and if people have results, they are going to do it, but can they make it last, and is it healthy?
The point is to do your research and not jump on the latest trend or fad as there usually is, or will be, more to it. Also, it is important to note everybody is different so every body reacts differently. What works for one may not work for another. The most important thing is to make sure you are eating enough to feed your body in all areas, both through macro/micronutrient needs. Each macronutrient has different functions as do micronutrients, to fuel and make our bodies function optimally. We have to consider all the other implications other than purely just weight loss, as there are consequences with that to, if not done in a healthy way.
In conclusion, do your homework and seek out someone who has the education behind them especially in nutrition. Not all doctors have extensive nutrition backgrounds so it is more advantageous to seek out a health professional in this area; dietician, nutritionist or naturopathic doctor. These will all vary in their fields as well. A dietician will be more exclusive in Medical Nutrition Therapy for chronic disease or specific health conditions. A nutritionist will be more in the prevention field offering education and guidance on healthy eating habits, weight management, and lifestyle changes. Naturopathic doctors use a combination of dietary and lifestyle modifications, nutritional supplements, botanical medicine, acupuncture, physical medicine, and other natural therapies, addressing root causes of illness. They all can overlap in certain areas, so it depends on the severity of a condition a person is in, to what level of care or direction they want to take.
Mkkie Nettles-Pollon, Certified Personal Trainer/Holistic & Sports Nutritionist
Not sure where to begin, contact me at info@deemhealth.ca
250-541 -0411.
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