One of the hottest trends in the health industry right now also has people totally confused.

When intermittent fasting began its rise to fame it was mostly seen as a weight loss tool. But google it now and it’s not that simple because there’s so much different information out there – making it hard to know whether it’s healthy or not.

Though intermittent fasting isn’t new, understanding what it is and when to use it could help you understand if it’s right for you.

WHAT IS INTERMITTENT FASTING?

Funny enough, it’s exactly as it sounds – you alternate between periods of fasting and eating. Think of it less like a diet, and more like an eating pattern, because it’s not focused on what you’re eating, but when you’re eating it.

As simple as this concept is, there are actually several different ways you can approach it – some more effective and safer than others. The most common version and safest is the 16/8 method. It simply involves fasting for a period of 16 hours and then consuming your calories during an 8 hour period. For example, you may eat your calories between 12pm and 8pm and fast the 16 hours in between.

IS IT HEALTHY?

Here’s the bottom line: intermittent fasting can be extremely beneficial for some people, but completely unsafe for others.

As a healthcare practitioner, there are many cases in which I would not recommend it – like if I see signs of an eating disorder present.

Think of intermittent fasting as a therapy that can be used for certain health issues – like hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular health, inflammatory conditions, and bacterial or fungal overgrowth. I have definitely prescribed it to some clients where I thought it would be safe, address their root cause, and improve their health.

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you’re thinking of using it for weight loss – don’t. Remember, extra weight is a symptom and not the root cause. Determining the root cause will tell us whether this is the right method for you or not.

The best way to know if it’s right for you is to talk to your healthcare practitioner who can determine if it’s safe and healthy for your individual needs.

If you’re curious to know if it’s right for you, or what other methods of intermittent fasting there are, you can book in a free 15 minute mini consultation with me where we can discuss it further.