I was browsing around CNN.com today and found this article highlight on their homepage. It deals with fasting, which is a topic we have covered on this site on this page here. It can be a great method to help you lose weight. Not only that, but recent research has shown that it may also help you live longer.
Does Fasting Lead to a Longer Life?
The article starts off with anecdotal evidence from the Taylor family who has followed a fasting regimen on a regular basis for the last year and a half. There are many different schedules in which to fast. Their regimen of choice is time restriction, consuming all of their day’s calories after the hour of 5 pm.
Since they began their fasting, they have maintained their weight at a healthy level and have also become more energetic and alert. They have also been less stressed and bouts of sickness have been few and far between.
Asked if they think it will make them live longer, Keith Taylor reports “I already feel as though I am younger. And if I am showing objective signs of being younger – more vigor and positivity – then I think it is logical to assume that I have already lengthened my lifespan by moving to IF.”
What Research Says
Anecdotal confirmation aside, there has been research on this very subject. Studies conducted on lab rats in the 1980’s demonstrated that the lifespan of the rats who were subject to fasting was significantly greater than that of those who always had food available to them at all hours.
As for human testing, a long-term test is said to not be feasible, but short-term studies have shown positive results. A group of 100 people was split into two groups: one group on a fasting diet, the others with no diet restrictions. At the end of the study, those who were at risk of disease were found to have a stabilization of their glucose levels (a key indicator for diabetes), along with a decrease in the risk of heart disease through the reduction of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Key markers for cancer risk were also reduced.
My Thoughts
There were more studies and results shared in the article, but I’ll direct you to the source for more information as you get the crux of it. I think this is a great discovery and something we can all apply to our lives. While it doesn’t, per se, conclude that intermittent fasting leads to a longer life, there is definitely evidence that it reduces the risk of disease (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, cardiovascular issues) that can certainly shorten your lifespan.
If you are stuck in a rut of being overweight or just generally unwell, it may be something to take a look into and see if it’s a dietary schedule that you can fit into your life. It may be difficult to adjust to at first, but the advantages can be great if you adhere to it.
Related reading: dietpillreviews.com/intermittent-fasting-for-beginners
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.