Intermittent fasting (IF) is a hot topic for weight loss and fitness. Proponents hail it as a powerful tool for calorie restriction and weight management.
Researchers are divided into various camps, which makes it quite confusing for people looking to hit their fitness goals with a fasting routine.
Fasting, like other weight loss routines, needs to be properly monitored. When you fast, you begin to deplete your body of essential nutrients and food, as you restrict your caloric intake.
This can also cause you to be preoccupied with food, making it difficult to focus on other things and affecting your productivity, mood, and other aspects of your life.
If you are not used to fasting, you may experience fatigue, irritability, and mood changes initially. Skipping meals may trigger migraine headaches, which can be debilitating for some.
Severely restricting the diet and/or abstaining from food may be harmful to individuals with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease
Individuals with a history of or at risk for eating disorders should avoid fasting, as it has a strong association with bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders