Intermittent fasting is one term that is very peculiar to the “fitfam” demographics. Although this term has been used wrongly as people who deem it fit to go without food automatically term their routine as the aforementioned.
However; there is a whole lot to intermittent fasting. It is not just the art of abstaining from food; it is also the art of infusing healthy food routines during a specified number of hours for the day and then restricting the intake of food for the remaining hours of the day.
For some, intermittent fasting has been proven to be one sure way to burn fat and stay fit; and for others it simply has been perceived as a facade.
Research has it that there are tons of benefits that come with intermittent fasting e.g. proper regulation of blood sugar, weight loss and a lower chance of getting a cardiac arrest; which means it is safe to go on a food restriction routine. But the flipside to this is that it might actually not be very good for your health bearing the fact that people are made up of different body systems and different biological thresholds. It really might be nothing serious; however if you notice these symptoms very frequently, then there is a possibility that intermittent fasting might not be very good for you:
1. You feel headaches steadily
Sometimes going without food for longer hours could trigger migraines and other kinds of headaches. These headaches are usually felt at the front part of the head and could lead to a mild fever sometimes.
2. You get easily stressed and fatigued
You get tired and unmotivated easily and get burned out quickly after every little physical activity. This one major sign of being affected by food restriction. This is because your blood sugar is low and could make you weak and run out of energy and motivation.
3. Low Vibes and Energy
Due to fatigue, you wouldn’t want to engage in activities that require energy and vivacity. The morale is low to be active and productive and the primary cause of this is low blood sugar as it seriously affects your energy level.
4. You get mood swings
If you experience frequent irritation and mood swings then you might be suffering from the Intermittent Energy Restriction Syndrome. When the blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia)it could span out irritability, lack of focus and withdrawal.
5. Constipation and Diarrhoea
Restriction of food intake could lead to nausea, bloating and diarrhoea. This is because the body needs food at all times and meal restriction could affect your digestive system and throw it in a state of confusion and imbalance.
6. Bad Breath
Acetone is a byproduct of fat and can be smelt in the breath which is a sign that you are consuming way less calories than the normal amount required by the body. So when you eat very little, the body makes use of its own fats to release energy in the body. If you notice this sign, please stop intermittent fasting immediately!
Lastly, it is advisable that there category of people stay away from intermittent fasting:
- Pregnant/expectant mothers
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Teenagers and children
- People with underlying health factors or brain injuries.
Conclusion
Intermittent fasting is not bad or dangerous in itself; however you have to figure out first if it would not have adverse effects on your body and on your health in general. If it makes you feel uncomfortable then find other means of staying fit like going on a carb diet or exercising regularly.
