Intermittent Fasting

[SteveB]

Has anyone looked into this? This is the practice of eating every other day, or "waving" the caloric intake into Feast and Fast cycles (500-1000 calories on Fast days). Research indicates a fantastic variety of health benifits--just unbelievable. Do a web search: I'd sound like a liar if I listed them. Oh, all right: positive effects on cancer, diabetes, heart disease, immune disorders, Alzheimers, obesity, blood pressure, and much more. In addition, it seems to increase GH release and production of lean muscle, as well as sharpening the mind and senses. I'm not kidding even a little bit. If this sounds even a little interesting, please do yourself a favor and put "Intermittent Fasting" into your search engine, and look for yourself!

Steve

[Miykael]

Thanks for the info Steve. I am interested in trying this. How is this working for you so far? Do you feel less energy on fasting days?

[Joseph David]

From my personal experience I like to do seasonal fasting. Some cleansing regiments have dangerous side effects. I would recommend any person wanting to experiment with fasting for rejuvenating the body, do so with a qualified Naturopathic doctor. Often cleansing reactions can be scary for the initiate, and down right dangerous for someone with a weakened immune system or highly toxic. Parasite die off is no fun either.

I believe that when the body cannibalizes itself during fasting, our innate intelligence starts with the weakest or sick cells first. For the strong, this is a good thing because it makes us stronger, for the weakened individual this big trouble.

just my twocents:)

[Chuck Kechter]

I have been playing with IF for the last 4+ months, with some (so far) good results...

The experiment continues...

[SteveB]

I.F. isn't necessarily caloric restriction: you can double-up on the Feasting days, and still get the results. I've read Art De Vaney's blog, but that isn't where I got the notion. I.F. seems to get all the positive results of Caloric Restriction (and there is vast and convincing experimental as well as anecdotal data about it's effects on Life extension in all warm-blooded animals) without the negative effects (namely, emaciation). But again, look into the research for yourself--I find it fascinating. I've noticed no difference at all in energy levels. Mushtaq actually feels an INCREASE of energy. I certainly notice greater mental focus.
I certainly don't think "our ancestors ate this way"--that is, voluntarily restricting their eating. But in my mind, it would make sense that not eating for 18-30 hours or so shouldn't hurt a healthy person. Heck--that would be when the hunters would need to be on their "A" game! What the heck evolutionary purpose would there be in making you weak with hunger if you have marbling on your butt? That strikes me as a disease of civilization.

Muscle scavenging doesn't really start for about 72 hours. What has convinced me to give it a try was the animal experiments and blogging by athletes who had tried it to lose weight or increase endurance. I've tried it for two months, and have definitely gained strength and lost fat. Strange and very interesting. Now, if someone was down to minimum bodyfat, I'd bet this would be pretty tough, but for most people, even most athletes, I have a hard time seeing how it would be unhealthy. Uncomfortable, yeah--but I'd deal with a little discomfort (which can be alleviated with Hoodia) to get the list of fitness, health, performance and longevity benifits, which are frankly stupendous. Again: put "Intermittent Fasting" into a search engine, and look at the very serious, sober scientific research on the subject. It's fascinating.

[Shaf]

For those interested in in depth discussion of this topic, I'd suggest two different places.

The first is the Performance Menu forums:

http://www.performancemenu.com/forum/index.php

There is a lot of IF discussion there, including 24 hours on/off, and also shorter, daily fasts. There is in fact an entire forum dedicated to IF.

The next are the forums at www.bodyrecomposition.com

You will need to register. Do a search for posts on "IF", "intermittant fasting" and for posts by a user named "Work".

This gives a different viewpoint, basically one concerned more with the acquistion of a lean, aesthetic physique, rather than the emphasis on functionality and health that occurs at the Performance Menu.

[Miykael]

Is it possible to gain a good amount of muscle mass on IF?

[SteveB]

I've noticed my own muscle mass increasing. But beyond that, Vince Gironda, the "Iron Guru" used to suggest his behemoths eat this way, because he suggested they eat so much protein! It increases GH release, Insulin sensitivity, and Testosterone production (all would be expected, since this seems to trigger a powerful Hunter-Gatherer response. In other words, it tricks your body into thinking that if you can't hunt better tomorrow than today, you're going to starve!)
and these three things just MIGHT create a "perfect storm" of a hormone cascade. Muscle cannibalization doesn't take place for 48-72 hours, and the longest I.F. fasts are about 36, so no problem there, either.
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That said, I'd bet that you are going to develop a lean, ripped look more easily than a pro bodybuilder physique.

[Miykael]

Thanks for turning me on this Steve. I have been doing this since Thursday with good results. I feel more present and focused. I have more energy as well. I am going to try it for at least 2 weeks and if it continues working for me it will be a long-term thing. I don't want a bodybuilder physique that's for sure, otherwise I wouldn't be here :)

I also got Threshold Training yesterday.I got to watch the first half and I am enjoying it. Thanks to you and Coach Sonnon for that as well.