Does intemittent fasting have any side effects?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor.

I am a 35-year-old male, and I want to lose my belly fat and look fit. Recently, I learned about intermittent fasting, and I want to try it and learn more about it. I want to know :

  • Will I lose my belly fat if I follow intermittent fasting?

  • Is it beneficial?

  • How long does it need to be followed?

  • Does fasting cause any side effects?

  • Will I lose any nutrition if I follow intermittent fasting?

  • How long does it take to lose my belly fat?

Please clarify.

Thank you.

Answered by Sumiya Sulthana

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

For the new study, 75 people with diabetes participated and ate only between noon and 8 p.m. each day for six months. At the end of the trial, the time-restricted eating group had lost nearly twice as much weight, on average 10 pounds, compared to the group counting calories, which averaged six pounds over the period.

People with obesity and type 2 diabetes lost more weight using daily periods of fasting than by trying to restrict calories over a six-month period. Blood sugar levels lowered in people in both groups, and no serious side effects were observed.

Here are five of the most popular eating patterns for adding intermittent fasting to your diet:

  • Time-restricted eating- It involves fasting every day for 12 hours or longer and eating in the remaining hours.

  • The 5:2 diet.

  • Eat-stop-eat.

  • Alternate-day fasting.

  • The warrior diet.

To avoid hunger from fluctuating blood sugar levels, the patient is first weaned off refined carbohydrates and started on the healthy fat low carbohydrate diet. A minimum initial prolonged fast of 36 hours to three days may be needed to start the process of reversing insulin resistance.

Fasting does not usually cause high blood sugar, but it is possible. If you already have diabetes, you may experience an early-morning increase in blood sugar, known as the dawn phenomenon.

There is some evidence that intermittent fasting may help to improve certain aspects of brain function as we get older, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a stage that comes before dementia. It includes problems with memory or thinking and is known to be reversible.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answered bySumiya Sulthana

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At September 10, 2024
Reviewed AtSeptember 10, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Listen to related tracks in our music library

Read answers about:

intermittent fastingobesity

Ask your health query to a Wellness Expert online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy