Intermittent Fasting: Anti-Inflammatory, Pro-Immunity Diet

Intermittent fasting describes the style of fasting where there is a repeated cycle of fasting, followed by non-fasting behaviour. The exact definition of intermittent fasting varies because the cycle length is not defined, but every person intermittently fasts to some degree because they cannot eat when they sleep. Breakfast is named because it is a meal that breaks the fast. Intermittent fasting is usually defined as a cycle of 1 day where for most of the day no food is consumed, followed by a period where all the food for the day is taken is a compressed and shorter period. Evidence suggests that this sort of intermittent fasting may have particular health effects including a reduction in inflammation and an increase in general immunity. The exact reasons for this are not known, but it is known that food results in the production of free radicals due to the natural oxidation of the energy. Extending the periods of no food consumption may  cause a reduction in the generation of free radicals and their pro-inflammatory effect. 

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Kacimi, S., Ref’at, A., Fararjeh, M. A., Bustanji, Y. K., Mohammad, M. K. and Salem, M. L. 2012. Intermittent fasting during Ramadan attenuates proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in healthy subjects. Nutrition Research. 32(12): 947-955

About Robert Barrington

Robert Barrington is a writer, nutritionist, lecturer and philosopher.
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