Intermittent Fasting For Longevity: The Science of Living Longer

Have you heard about the many benefits of intermittent fasting? It’s not only helpful in weight loss. Intermittent fasting is also a successful longevity tool.

(The following is an excerpt from my bestselling book: “Life is Long: 50+ ways to live a little closer to forever.”)

An abundance of research suggests that “intermittent fasting” is an effective longevity tool. 

Why is intermittent fasting effective?

When you stop eating for 10-16 hours, you increase “your mitochondrial energy efficiency.” 

As a result, your body burns fat as its energy source.

This combo slows down aging and disease.

Basically, the mightier your mitochondria, the mightier your chances of living longer.

For this reason, “intermittent fasting” is now being widely touted for boosting health, metabolism and weight loss.

It’s even preferred over the once-popular “grazing” all day recommendation.

In fact, there’s now less praising of “grazing” as a diet tool!

Surprising but true!

A study published in Cell Metabolism reported that mice who continually grazed on food for 100 days gained weight.

Plus they developed high cholesterol, high blood glucose and liver damage.

In contrast, mice who fasted for 16 hours a day — but ate the same total amount of food during non-fasting periods — weighed less, stayed healthy and performed better when exercising.

What’s the easiest way to do intermittent fasting?

There are many types of fasting you can do. But I recommend that you skip breakfast – so you can do the majority of your “not eating anything” while you’re sleeping. If the only meal you skip is breakfast,  you won’t be hungry during at least 6 – 8 hours of your fasting – because you’ll be sleeping those hours. The only struggle with hunger you’ll have is making it to lunch without eating.

How to do an intermittent fast…

1. Make sure your evening meal the night before an intermittent fast contains a good amount of fats and protein to ensure stable blood sugar levels.
2. When you wake up in the morning drink lots of water. You’re also allowed to drink black coffee – with no sugar or milk.
3. Be sure to stay hydrated while on your intermittent fast.
4. Skip breakfast and try to make it to lunch without eating.
5. If you struggle with any blood sugar problems, hormonal issues, or any chronic health concerns, speak with your doctor before trying intermittent fasting.

Bonus Longevity Tip:

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that intermittent fasting lowers overall cholesterol – by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides –  but not lowering HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

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