The Keto Diet and Intermittent Fasting
The keto diet and intermittent fasting are two popular diets for losing fat, gaining lean muscle mass, and boosting your energy levels.
Many people wonder whether combining intermittent fasting with keto can help you experience even greater results.
The short answer is yes. Intermittent fasting on the keto diet is a simple �hack� that can definitely accelerate the results and benefits.
What is Intermittent fasting?
If you�ve slept overnight and not eaten for 12 hours, then you�ve already experienced intermittent fasting! It simply means that you go for a specific period of time without eating. Some people choose 12 hours, 16 hours or even 24-48 hours. Whatever period of time you select is called your ‘fasting window.’ When you are outside the fasting window, you eat normally.
The key is to know when and for how long to fast. That way you aren�t tempted to snack during that time.
The difference with intermittent fasting is that usually when you eat throughout the day, you�re in a fed state. This makes your body keep digesting and absorbing nutrients from your meals.
Most people who have breakfast, lunch, and dinner will remain in this state during the day, and into the night. The only time their digestive system gets a break is when they�re sleeping.
When your body to enter the fasted state (usually after about 8-12 hours), it means that accelerated fat burning can now take place. Essentially fasting kicks your body into the same ketosis state as being on the keto diet does.
Keto is accelerated with Intermittent Fasting
Since the keto diet is designed to force the body into running on ketones from a very low-carb intake, you�re essentially fasting yourself of carbs. In a way, this mimics regular actual fasting that takes place with intermittent fasting.
When you restrict your body�s primary fuel source on the keto diet, adding fasting can kickstart your body into ketosis. Once you�re there, you just need to stay on the keto diet to stay in ketosis.
Also, when on the keto diet, you may find it easier to fast for extended periods of time, since your body becomes adapted to the fat burning and you are less hungry.
Here are other benefits that intermittent fasting with keto can give:
- Balancing blood sugar
- Improving nutrient absorption
- Detoxification
- Clearer mind, less brain fog
- Increased fat burn during exercise
On top of all this, intermittent fasting can help with unnecessary snacking and extra caloric intake throughout the day. And it�s as simple as setting a goal to not eat for as little as 8-12 hours. As you build your fasting window, you may find you can last 12-16 hours and then perhaps even 24 hours without too much worry.
If you are serious about kick-starting your keto journey, then intermittent fasting can give you that extra push you need. Once your there in the ketosis state, it�s much easier to stay on the keto path and achieve your goals.
Whether you�re looking to lose weight, manage a chronic medical condition, or simply want to overhaul your eating habits, changing your diet for the better is one of the best ways to improve your overall health.
Dr Jerry Hizon, MD strives to demystify the complex science of nutrition, giving his patients sound nutritional guidance designed to set them up for long-term dietary success, whatever their specific goals may be.