Fasting is ancient. Since the earliest times, most organisms have had to endure times of food deprivation, and their bodies have responded in order to ensure survival. That response, broadly speaking, is related to the body’s journey through different metabolic states, as hormonal shifts are triggered and access to different energy substrates within the body enabled.
Intermittent fasting, which is the regulated cycling in and out of periods of low or zero calorie intake between periods of normal consumption, has been recognised, researched, and used as a health tool for centuries. It has been linked to various health benefits, including a reduction in inflammation, improved hormonal balance (especially insulin), healthier gut function, appropriate weight loss, heightened mental acuity, and general longevity. Intermittent fasting reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
The underlying mechanisms of many of these benefits occur during autophagy (in which healthy cells and mitochondria are renewed) and during mild ketosis. The gut microbiome is also recognised as a potent beneficiary of intermittent fasting.
At Seymour we have anchored our intermittent fasting guidance on the concept of metabolic adaptation in which our primary consideration is the safe transition between metabolic states. Metabolic adaption occurs when one has developed ‘fasting fitness’, able to transition from one metabolic state to another with little discomfort, and able to reap the benefits fully. By giving the body ample time to adapt to each metabolic state we are able to prevent or mitigate any adverse effects, and offer sustainable and healthy intermittent fasting techniques.
Seymour believes in optimising wellness solutions for individuals. It follows, therefore, that we also believe that intermittent fasting is not for everyone, and implement a careful set of exclusion criteria to ensure that those for whom intermittent fasting represents a risk are excluded.
We are firmly against the notion that fasting longer is necessarily fasting better. Successful intermittent fasting is the program or schedule that achieves metabolic adaptation and desired wellness outcomes.